gunnery

Heavy weapons expertise

Gunnery is the design, manufacture, and operation of guns—particularly heavy artillery and naval guns.

It encompasses the science of aiming and firing: calculating trajectories, accounting for wind and movement.

A gunnery sergeant trains Marines in weapons use.

The ship's gunnery was exceptionally accurate.

artillery

howitzer

Short-barreled artillery piece

mortarGrinding bowl or binder
cannonLarge mounted gun
batteryPortable electricity storage

ordnance · cannonade · barrage · shelling · bombardment · salvo · volley · gunpowder · projectile · cannonball

naval

broadside

Fierce written assault

turretProtruding fortified structure
battleshipArmored naval capital vessel
destroyerOne that ruins completely

cruiser · frigate · torpedo · salvo · rangefinder · gunboat · armament · magazine · battery · caliber

training

instruction

Guidance for action

drillHole-boring device
rangeExtent of variation
academyInstitution of learning

course · certification · safety · firearms · riflery · ballistics · trajectory · reloading · handling · qualification

ballistics

trajectory

Path of moving object

velocityDirected rate of motion
caliberBore diameter or quality
projectileLaunched airborne object

range · windage · elevation · rifling · spin · drag · propellant · charge · penetration · terminal

marksmanship

aim

Purpose or direction

accuracyDegree of correctness
targetingSelecting as objective
sightingInstance of perceiving something

zeroing · grouping · bullseye · sharpshooting · sniping · rifle · pistol · shooting · rangefinding · windage

combat

firepower

Combat weapon effectiveness

suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
engagementCommitment to wed or attend
enfiladeFire along an axis

barrage · volley · crossfire · flanking · emplacement · position · crew-served

Categories

naval historybattleships, naval battles, naval history, admiral, battleship
Royal NavyRoyal Navy, admiral, warship, HMS Victory, battleship
naval dutiesanchor watch, battle stations, damage control, general quarters, guard duty
naval gunnerycannons, gunpowder, naval artillery, cannonballs, round shot
naval trainingofficer training, naval training, naval academy, seamanship, cadet training
gunneryaiming, cannon, firing, ballistics, ordnance

Opposites

combat method

gunneryhand-to-hand combat

Fighting without distance weapons

melee · close-quarters combat · melee combat · unarmed combat · swordsmanship

military function

gunneryfield medicine

Healthcare in active zones

combat medicine · diplomacy · peacekeeping · armor · shielding

military domain

gunnerydiplomacy

Negotiation between nations

peacekeeping · demilitarization · disarmament · pacifism · non-violence

Phrases

gunned downKilled by shooting
machine gunnerSoldier operating automatic weapon
tail gunnerCrew member defending bomber's aft
gunnery sergeantSenior Marine noncommissioned officer
door gunnerHelicopter-mounted weapon operator
rear gunnerAircraft's aft weapons operator

Family

gunner, gunned, gunners

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Rated PG