[The Duke]

Precision guided munitions?

Modern artillary can hit a dime from a distance of 20 miles, with no wear and tear on expensive aircraft. In fact, I would think there would be less chance for error, as often targets can be "forward observed" well in advance of a strike.

Also, artillary has other benefits. For example, a barrage can be entered into the control system that will obliterate a designated area.

[dementg]

Modern artillary can hit a dime from a distance of 20 miles, with no wear and tear on expensive aircraft. In fact, I would think there would be less chance for error, as often targets can be "forward observed" well in advance of a strike.

Also, artillary has other benefits. For example, a barrage can be entered into the control system that will obliterate a designated area.

I think the fact that this was a weapons cache in Fallujah indicates that it was probably in an area that was risky for ground troops to approach. There's no reason to put ground troops at risk just to blow up one building. Bombing it from the air was safer.

[Polybius]

Modern artillary can hit a dime from a distance of 20 miles....

Not really.

For Indirect fires the measurement is indeed CEP (Circular Error Probable)........a circle with centre at target inside which 50% of rounds fired will land.......Desired Low angle CEP is 60 Meters. Threshold Low angle CEP is 120 Meters, Desired High Angle CEP is 150 meters, Threshold High Angle CEP is 275 meters.

[DefCon]

"...Modern artillary can hit a dime from a distance of 20 miles..."
- - -
First round on target? Or after several corrections?
(My only experience is 35 yrs ago w/ a mortar tube)