Cannon

A cannon is any large tubular firearm designed to fire a heavy projectile over a considerable distance. The term can apply to a modern day rifled machine gun with a calibre of 20 mm or more (see autocannon).

Modern cannons

A modern artillery piece is generally referred to either as a "gun", or by the name of its specific type, such as a Howitzer.

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Since World War II the term cannon is used to refer to a gun of around 20 mm to 40 mm calibre, typically with an automatic loading action capable of firing explosive ammunition, an auto-cannon.

Related Topics:
World War II - Action - Ammunition - Auto-cannon

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The minimum calibre of a cannon, 20 mm, has been a de facto standard since WWII, when heavy machine guns of 12.7 mm (0.5") and 13.2 mm calibre were used side by side with 20 mm and larger guns, the latter using explosive ammunition, e.g., RAF fighters with 20 mm Hispano cannon and Luftwaffe with 20 mm and 30 mm cannon. The Bofors 40 mm gun and Oerlikon 20 mm cannon are two examples largely used during the Second World War, and still in usage today.

Related Topics:
De facto - Standard - WWII - RAF - Luftwaffe - 30 mm - Bofors 40 mm gun - Oerlikon 20 mm cannon

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Most nations use these modern (auto-)cannons on their lighter vehicles. Typical of the type is the 25 mm 'Bushmaster' cannon mounted on the LAV and Bradley armoured vehicles.

Related Topics:
25 mm - 'Bushmaster' - Bradley - Armoured vehicles

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A cannon generally refers to a high velocity, low trajectory, direct fire weapon such as the main gun on most modern main battle tanks.

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A howitzer generally refers to a weapon using a lower velocity than a cannon, which fires on a higher trajectory, and provides indirect fire.

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These are both differentiated from a mortar, which fires a low velocity (by comparison) round at very high trajectory at much more limited range.

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