[FlyVet]

That's a howizter? I thought a howitzer was a short-barreled thingie, sort of a cross between a mortar and a long gun. Seems it would be less top-heavy and more mobile with a shorter barrel.

[archy]

That's a howizter? I thought a howitzer was a short-barreled thingie, sort of a cross between a mortar and a long gun. Seems it would be less top-heavy and more mobile with a shorter barrel.

Not so much since the South African/SRC development of the 45-caliber tube 155mm G5 series weapons and base-burn ammunition with a range of circa 50 KM. As mortars now reach the ranges previously served by shorter-tubed howitzers and guns, the value of tube artillery at longer ranges takes on more and more importance- particularly if the other folks cannon cockers have it.

[Darksheare]

*shaky hand motion*
Yes and no, if it fired like a tank gun, it'd be a cannon, if it fired a high lobbing arc, it's a mortar, if it can do both, it's a howitzer.
But, the tube length makes it a gun -if it's longer than 15 foot or so on the tube length or some such.
The howitzer tube itself doesn't ad much weight, it's the turret itself and the shock of firing that may tip it over.
Archy and I kicked a similar idea around last year.
We figured using the Stryker body would require and necessitate the use of outriggers and spades mounted on teh chassis somewhere.
Outriggers especially if they plan to be able to fire broadside and do "360 degree artillery ops" without having to reposition the vehicle for the next fire mission.