"Artillery is the God of War."
-Joseph Stalin, 1944

No quote describes the importance of artillery in combat. It is arguably one of most important arm on the battlefield, second to the infantryman. No combat arm can provide such powerful support at such short notice to the infantry. From man-portable recoilless rifles, autocannons, and mortars to intercontinental ballistic missiles, railway superguns, and battleship cannon, their utility is as various as the forms it takes. With the exception of their spotters and crews, the only form of combat artillery cannot participate in is close-quarters combat.

This particular article focuses on the most popular division-level artillery pieces of participants in the Command and Conquer Roleplay. This list comprises of the following guns:

Note: Images will be forthcoming.

Paternian Republic:
155mm M440 Howitzer:
Description: 155mm towed howitzer employing a conventional carriage.
Crew: 7
Range: 15 miles (Standard), 19 miles (ERFB), 25 miles (PGM)
Elevation: +60/-2.5
Traverse: +30/-30 deg
Rate of Fire: 4rpm (max), 1 rpm (sustained)
Notes: One of two towed medium artillery pieces available, and the most popular of the two. Adopted by Paternian Republic, Grand Caliphate of Awwam, Federal Republic of Berus, Unity Defense Corporation, and India.

155mm M120A1 Howitzer, SP:
Description: 155mm SPH employing a specialist chassis with parts deriving from M110 APC.
Crew: 4
Range: Identical to M440 Howitzer.
Elevation: +60/-5
Traverse: 360 deg
Rate of Fire: 4rpm (max), 1 rpm (sustained)
Notes: Only SPA with external travel lock.

M7A5 Rhino ASV:
Description: 155mm SPH employing the chassis of the M7 Rhino AFV. It is a member of the M7 Rhino family of armored fighting vehicles.
Crew: 5
Range: Identical to M440 Howitzer.
Elevation: +60/-5
Traverse: +45/-45 deg
Rate of fire: 4rpm (max), 1rpm (sustained)
Notes: Only wheeled SPH in RP. Operated by Unity Defense Corporation.

Ecuador:
EA-65 140mm Howitzer:
Description: 140mm towed howitzer on a trailer carriage. Capable of high elevations.
Crew: 8
Range: 13 miles (Standard), 17 miles (ERFB), 26 miles (PGM, est.)
Elevation: +90/-15
Traverse: 360 deg
Rate of fire: 5rpm (max), 2rpm (sustained)
Notes: Notable for being one of two towed howitzers. Smallest caliber howitzer. Precision-guided shells were unavailable. Highest gun elevation in the game.

New Syllix Alliance:
SPT-06A2 M3:
Description: 160mm SPH based off the chassis of the SPT-06 main battle tank.
Crew: 4
Range: 17 miles (Standard), 21 miles (ERFB), 28 miles (PGM)
Elevation: +60/-10
Traverse: +30/-30
Rate of Fire: 4rpm (max), 1rpm (sustained)
Notes: Most popular SPH. Operated by New Syllix Alliance, Republic of West Africa, New Malay Straits, Grand Caliphate of Awwam, and Federal Republic of Auruna.

Grand Caliphate of Awwam:
RA-1 "Badr":
Description: Semi-automated 157mm SPH capable of remote operation with limited human interaction.
Crew: 0-1
Range: 15 miles (Standard), 19 miles (ERFB), 29 miles (PGM)
Elevation: +20/-15 deg (within +5/-5 deg traverse) 10/-15 deg (full +30/-30 deg traverse)
Traverse: +5/-5 (full elevation), +30/-30 (10 deg elevation)
Rate of Fire: 4rpm (max), 1rpm (sustained)
Notes: Somewhat complex but nonetheless reliable. Only howitzer capable of automated operations.

Lanzzarian Federation:
T-SSV-425 "Gorgon":
Description: 170mm SPG with automatic loader. Easily recognizable as piece features two 170mm guns in an over-under configuration.
Crew: 2
Range: 37 miles (standard), 62 miles (PGM), 81 miles (2-stage ramjet assisted)
Elevation: +60/-5 (between +160/-160 deg, front arc), +60/-0 (between +160/-160, rear arc)
Traverse: 360 deg
Rate of Fire: 12rpm (max, cyclic), 2rpm (sustained)
Notes: Highest rate of fire for any medium-weight artillery piece in the RP, on par or exceeding existing 105mm howitzers.

Overview
Most artillery in the C&C Roleplay are self-propelled, for a good reason: combat often centers on combined armed regiments and brigades, meaning the artillery must be able to keep up with them. In addition, it makes the piece less vulnerable to counter-battery fire. Thus, the only nations to develop towed guns were the Paternian Republic and Ecuador, who place greater emphasis on infantry operations than other nations.

The insular nature of Ecuadorian export policy effectively cut themselves out of the export market, the Paternian Republic actively seeks export sales of all its goods, including military equipment. Thus, the EA-65 sees no other operators than the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, where the M440 is one of the most widely employed division-level artillery pieces in the C&C Roleplay. As towed division-level guns go, the M440 is a combat-proven system, where the EA-65 has seen only extremely limited use by the GLA.

The M440 Howitzer is a 155mm howitzer on a split-trail carriage, where the EA-65 is a 140mm howitzer on a trailer carriage. While both of them are towed guns, they could not be more different.

The M440 is the most mobile of the two, able to be easily transported by helicopter. Design considerations such as a limited traverse were implemented in order to simplify and lighten the piece. The light, compact nature of the piece allowed it to be easily transported by helicopter or air-dropped, an important consideration in modern warfare. This, combined with the potent 155mm shells, make it one of the deadliest pieces on the planet. The lower inherent accuracy of the system is compensated fully with precision-guided shells.

The EA-65 is a much heavier piece, and requires a truck to tow it into position. In addition, it has slightly lower range due to its smaller caliber. However, the piece makes up for this with highly versatile firing angles. It is capable of firing in a 360 degree arc from its position, and can elevate the gun up to 90 degrees. However, elevation should be limited to 75 degrees for safety reasons. This allows it to engage any target within its range without needing to turn the piece around. Combined with its higher rate of fire, it can be incredibly devastating.

Where the Paternian Republic has a near-total monopoly on towed division-level artillery, there is much greater competition in the realm of self-propelled artillery. Virtually all nations operate some form of division-level self-propelled artillery.

From the Paternian Republic comes the M120A1 and the M7A5 Rhino Artillery Support Vehicle. Both weapon systems are similar in performance to the M440 Howitzer, except that they are far more mobile and can keep up with an armored advance. The M120A1 is a tracked system, where the M7A5 Rhino ASV is a wheeled vehicle. The M120A1 is employed by the Paternian Army, where the M7A5 Rhino ASV is employed by Unity Defense Corporation. Both systems have seen extensive combat, and served with distinction.

From the New Syllix Alliance comes the SPT-06A2 M3. The SPT-06A2 M3 is most popular division-level self-propelled artillery piece in service. A relatively system with archaic features for self-propelled artillery such as an open-topped crew compartment and highly limited traverse, it is highly popular for its simple operation and powerful and accurate 160mm NSA howitzer. Popularity stems from the innovative gun direction systems, low operating costs, and highly precise guided munitions.

From the Grand Caliphate of Awwam come the unique RA-1 Badr 157mm howitzer. It is the only artillery piece that can operate remotely, requiring a single person for maintenance if necessary. A highly advanced system with good range, its main limitation is its extremely poor gun elevation. At only 20 degrees, it prevents this otherwise excellent artillery piece from being able to effectively deliver plunging fire.

However, this issue has been acknowledged by Army high command, and the succeeding RA-2 will incorporate superior gun elevation. In addition, earthen ramps are often emplaced with these pieces in order to gain additional elevation for their guns.

Finally, the most technologically advanced of the divisional artillery pieces; the Lanzarrian T-SSV-425 "Gorgon." Gorgons in Greek mythology are creatures so hideous that those who look at them directly are turned to stone. Such is a very appropriate allusion to this artillery piece; as the gorgon would turn those which looked at it into stone, the T-SSV-425 has a similarly paralyzing power due to its high hitting power, rate of fire, range, and accuracy.

It is highly unusual for the fact it has two 170mm drum-fed howitzers in a single turret. While self-propelled artillery with multiple guns are not unknown, these are almost always anti-aircraft weapons, not exceeding 57mm bore. While multiple gun mounts of larger caliber are certainly widespread and considered practical, these are for naval use, where there is significantly more space to accommodate such amount.

Another unusual feature of the mount is the over-under configuration of the guns; most multiple gun mounts position the guns in a side-by-side configuration. This configuration, while increasing the size of the turret's silhouette, allows it to be mated to the hull of a Kodiak tank.

The presence of two howitzers on the mount does in fact result in a very high rate of fire for such a mount; 12 rounds per minute could be achieved. In contrast, the Paternian 155mm howitzers can achieve a rate of 4 rounds per minute maximum. In addition, the use of two barrels means that the sustained rate of fire is doubled to two rounds per minute versus the one round per minute limit to other pieces. As each barrel fires only once per minute in this cycle, it allows both to cool normally while maintaining such a high rate of fire.

Range, hitting power, and accuracy are also better than all other pieces; it can engage targets at 37 miles with standard ammunition, 62 miles with precision-guided shells, and up to 81 miles with special 2-stage ramjet-assisted munitions. Its 170mm shells exceed the power of its competitors, having double the explosive power of the EA-65 140mm howitzer. Performance-wise, it is the best divisional gun in the C&C Roleplay.

However, with all things so advanced, there comes the technical complexity. The system was more difficult to maintain than other pieces, and was the only piece in testing to have broken down to a point where it needed to be sent back to a repair depot of the Lanzarrian Army to be repaired. This issue is compounded by the large degree of automation for its functions; there are only two gunners to maintain it.

While its reliability can be disputed, its high potency when functional cannot. No gun system in the world can compare to the power, range, accuracy and rapidity as the T-SSV-425 "Gorgon." A true mythical beast.