Why are cannons more powerful than howitzers?

Cannons are commonly known as flat-fire cannons.

Its ballistic curve is relatively straight, which is called "low trajectory extension" in artillery terminology.

The howitzer is a curved cannon. Its trajectory is relatively curved and its range is relatively short.

Both types of guns are artillery. The Cannon has a longer barrel than the Howitzer of the same caliber, so the pressure in the shell is stronger and the muzzle velocity is faster, allowing the shell to be launched farther.

Usually the caliber of a cannon is dozens of times, and the maximum can reach 40 times the caliber.

The maximum caliber of the howitzer is only 30 times.

Usually the caliber of a cannon is larger, which results in the cannon being more powerful and having a shorter range than the howitzer.

The cannon's ballistic trajectory is low, its barrel is long, its muzzle velocity is high, its shooting angle is generally less than 45°, and it uses fixed or separate shells with a small number of charges. It is suitable for shooting at armored targets, vertical targets and long-distance targets.

Anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank guns, tank guns, aircraft guns, naval guns and coastal guns are similar.

The howitzer has a short barrel, and the barrel length is generally 20-30 times the caliber. It is an artillery piece with a relatively curved ballistic trajectory. However, its shooting angle is much higher than that of a cannon, reaching 70 degrees. Howitzers are more suitable for striking.

A field gun for concealed targets and parallel targets on the ground, with strong maneuverability.

The fragmentation damage of howitzers is more suitable for killing infantry, while cannons are more comprehensive because of the power of projectiles.

The characteristics of the cannon are low trajectory and high power. Its caliber is relatively large and suitable for long-range attacks on enemy tanks.

Causing fatal threats and strikes, in contrast, howitzers are very suitable for ground shooting. There is actually no essential difference between the two.

As the barrel becomes longer and longer, the boundaries between howitzers and cannons become increasingly blurred, and cannon howitzers that combine the advantages of both types of artillery begin to appear.

The howitzer has a long barrel, high chamber pressure, uses multi-stage charges to launch, has a long range, and has flexible ballistics. Pure cannons have been eliminated due to many shortcomings.