superguns
Oversized military cannons
Superguns are exceptionally large artillery pieces designed to fire projectiles over extreme distances, often experimental or one-of-a-kind weapons.
The term gained prominence with Iraq's Project Babylon in the 1980s, an attempt to build a gun capable of launching satellites or striking distant targets.
Earlier examples include German World War I Paris Guns and World War II V-3 cannons.
Superguns occupy the boundary between conventional artillery and ballistic missiles.
Directed rate of motion
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- projectileLaunched airborne object
- caliberBore diameter or quality
- rangeExtent of variation
accuracy · targeting · elevation · azimuth · dispersion · windage · coriolis · zeroing
Short-barreled artillery piece
- cannonLarge mounted gun
- mortarGrinding bowl or binder
- ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively
- turretProtruding fortified structure
emplacement · battery · coastal defense · anti-aircraft · flak · carriage · breech · barrel
Prone to sudden detonation
- kinetic energyPower from movement
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- blastSudden forceful burst
- impactForceful contact or consequence
penetration · destructive · shockwave · recoil · firing · combustion · payload · warhead
Encirclement forcing surrender
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- assaultViolent offensive act
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
offensive · defensive · fortification · bunker · strategic · tactical · military · campaign
velocity
Directed rate of motion
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- projectileLaunched airborne object
- caliberBore diameter or quality
range · accuracy · targeting · elevation · azimuth · dispersion · windage · coriolis · zeroing · sighting
howitzer
Short-barreled artillery piece
turret · emplacement · battery · coastal defense · anti-aircraft · flak · carriage · breech · barrel · bore
explosive
Prone to sudden detonation
- kinetic energyPower from movement
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- blastSudden forceful burst
impact · penetration · destructive · shockwave · recoil · firing · combustion · payload · warhead · detonation
siege
Encirclement forcing surrender
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- assaultViolent offensive act
bombardment · offensive · defensive · fortification · bunker · strategic · tactical · military · campaign · emplacement
supergunssmall arms
Handheld military weapons
pistols · handguns · sidearms · derringers · pocket pistols
supergunsmuskets
Early shoulder-fired guns
muzzle-loaders · catapults · trebuchets · ballistae · siege weapons