The Fire Support Dilemma Evolution of Self-propelled Howitzers

Cannon-based artillery has long been the primary means for ground combat maneuver forces, including armor, infantry, cavalry, airborne, and air assault, because of its ability to deliver accurate fires at relatively long ranges. The self-propelled howitzer (SPH) had its origin in World War I, when a few experimental mounts were tested with medium-caliber cannons rigged on tractor chassis. By the end of World War II, SPHs were becoming common in the armored and mechanized forces of Western (i.e., the British, French, U.S., and German) armies.