How accurate is modern US artillery compared to WW2 US artillery?

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   Kenna McHughposted 8 years ago

   How accurate is modern US artillery compared to WW2 US artillery?
   
   I would think that modern beats out old ways, but you never know unless you look at the stats.

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   lions44posted 8 years ago

   It is incredibly accurate.  How much more depends on the type of mission.  It is used differently today than in WWII, Korea and even Vietnam. The weapons, such as the 155mm howitzer have been redeveloped several times and the type of ammo has changed. The U.S. Army Airborne is using the 105mm again. It provides tremendous force protection and targeting up to 5-7 miles. 
   
   Obviously the use of satellite navigation has improved targeting.  Even laying in the guns has  become highly sophisticated due to technology.
   
   
   Plus, the U.S. military is heavily reliant on air power in the modern era (both fixed wing and choppers) for precision targeting.  Gone are the days of  massive Time on Target raids (for the U.S anyway). There are firebases in Afghanistan that use 155mms (M198).  I can't speak in detail on their missions as I'm unsure exactly, but I believe they are mostly supporting Afghan forces and the occasional targets of opportunity. 
   
   However, we still massed artillery fire in Syria and other places.  The Turkish military as well as Syria's government forces are using 155mm and self-propelled pieces around Aleppo. While the Russians use mostly fighter bombers in Syria, they did supply a lot of towed pieces in the Ukraine to the "rebels" in the Donets basin.   Israel has also used self-propelled guns (American made) on southern Lebanon and Gaza the past decade.
   
   I may have given an oversimplification of the issue. My apologies.  But for me, I love the topic.  Any questions, just let me know.

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      Kenna McHughposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You sure do know your topic. Thank you. This is very helpful.

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      lions44posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thx Kenna.  I actually made a mistake.  The M198 has been mostly replaced by the M777.  Forgot.   I'm nerding out now.  Sorry.

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      Kenna McHughposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Well, don't nerd out too much.

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   Setank Setunkposted 8 years ago

   The potential for peak accuracy for the U.S. dates back to the end of the First World War. Following the French model, the U.S. opted for more guns and less accuracy while the Germans opted for fewer guns and more accuracy. Back then precision artillery fire was complex and logistically burdensome, but today with proximity fuses, laser range finders, GPS, and other things, precision fire is the practical option. 
   So modern U.S Artillery is far more accurate than in WW2 but such accuracy(nearly), was employed by the Germans in WW2 at great expense.

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      Kenna McHughposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting, thank you.

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