Deflection or Azimuth: Which Direction Should the United States Field Artillery Follow?

This study investigates the use of deflections in the United States field artillery. Deflections are used to align howitzers onto targets during indirect fire. The deflection system is based on azimuths and uses a 6400 mil circle. Howitzers are initially aligned using azimuths and the value of the azimuth is converted to a deflection prior to firing. The point of this study is to determine if there is a need to convert azimuths to deflections. In order to evaluate the system of deflections this study examines the development and adoption of that system. Research was conducted to determine if another different system was available. A comparison of systems was conducted upon the determination that the only two distinct systems for aligning howitzers are deflections and azimuths. This comparison consisted of gathering information from records and from interviews with senior United States artillerymen. The comparison of systems indicated that azimuths are the better of the two systems and recommendations are made to adopt the system of azimuths for the United States field artillery.