Someone please teach these people to shoot straight.

[Churchill]

Yes, they do swing, depends on the cross wind and the rotation.

The rate of spin inparted by the rifling also causes a deviation from the parabolic. Wind in one direction flattens it, and wind in the other raises it.

Also the length of the barrel and the softness of the ground when fired. Also the amount of moisture in the air and air pressure.

I still have a lovely 'Pilot Ballon' slide rule somewhere, they now use computers which I don't think are as good when you're rushed.

Might I suggest that you brush up on the "Magnus Effect"?

[AtW]

BTW Shortest distance between two points is a straight line so from start to finish (particularly in this context) of any arc can be described as a straight line.

So, in your view mortars shoot straight? What about ICBMs (Intercontinental ballistic missile) and cruise missiles?

[threaded]

Yes, in days of yore, and not so long ago as well, what we'd call straight shooting from artillery meant to fire the projectile at the ground so it'd bounce like a pebble skipping on a pond. Howitzers are generally incapable of this as they don't tend to be able to decline to negative firing angles.

Actually seen someone do the pebble skipping thing with a wire guided missile, very effective.

[threaded]

Yes, mortars are straight shooters, as you generally have line of sight to the target.

[Churchill]

So, in your view mortars shoot straight? What about ICBMs (Intercontinental ballistic missile) and cruise missiles?

AtW, there is a world of difference between those two.

If you have any experience regarding ballistics and guidance systems, then by all means carry on. If not, stop digging.

[AtW]

Well, the situation is pretty obvious to me: howitzers dont shoot straight just like mortars, its as simple as that.

[threaded]

No, howitzers are indirect as you generally do not have line of sight.

[hattra]

So what you saying is basically that just because any curve can be approximated with straigth lines, therefore its straight line?

Simple question: is the drawling below is that of straight line?

Yes, from above

Perspective is everything

[AtW]

Perspective is everything

No its not - if you close your eyes you won't see curve or line or anything, well perhaps some white fluffy bunnies, but this does not mean that this curve is not a line.

[DaveB]

It does not matter if they swing or not, what matters is that howitzers dont normally shoot in straight line, they of course can just like infantry support guns can be forced to shoot at high angle.

You seem to have misinterpreted what I said. When I said shoot straight I meant in terms of hitting what they were aiming at, and not some innocent bystander - In this case a small town.