Siege artillery (also siege guns or siege cannons) are heavy guns designed to bombard fortifications, cities, and other fixed targets. They are distinct from field artillery and are a class of siege weapon capable of firing heavy cannonballs or shells that required enormous transport and logistical support to operate. They lacked mobility and thus were rarely useful in more mobile warfare situations, generally having been superseded by heavy howitzers (towed and self-propelled artillery), strategic bomber aircraft, surface-to-surface missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and multiple rocket launchers in modern warfare.
Muzzle-loading artillery
Caliber (mm) | Weapon name | Country of origin | Design |
---|---|---|---|
106 | Canon lourd de 8 Gribeauval | Kingdom of France | 1775 |
114 | 4.5-inch siege rifle | United States | 1862 |
121 | Canon lourd de 12 Gribeauval | Kingdom of France | 1775 |
134 | Canon de 16 Gribeauval | Kingdom of France | 1775 |
148 | 24-pdr M1839 rifle | United States | 1839 |
153 | Canon de 24 Gribeauval | Kingdom of France | 1775 |
163 | 32-pdr M1829 rifle | United States | 1829 |
178 | 42-pdr M1841 rifle | United States | 1841 |
200 | Kartouwe | Dutch Republic | 16th century |
230 | Abus Gun | Ottoman Empire | 16th century |
650 | Dardanelles Gun | Ottoman Empire | 1464 |
660 | Dulle Griet | Holy Roman Empire | First half of 15th century |
735 | Faule Mette | Holy Roman Empire | 1411 |
820 | Pumhart von Steyr | Austrian Empire | Early 15th century |
890 | Tsar Cannon | Tsardom of Russia | 1586 |
Breech-loading artillery
See also
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