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While, in many forces, batteries are equivalent in size to a company, this has not always been the case. Historically batteries have differed in size and composition, often containing more than one weapon system. One such modern case is the Marine Corps artillery units fielding the new 120mm Dragon Fire mortar along with their howitzers.

Naval batteries are a group of four or more cannons on a turret that fire in synchronization.

In modern military organization, the Military Unit typically has 6 to 8 Howitzer s and 100 to 200 personnel. They are subdivided into:
  • Field batteries, equipped with 105 Mm Calibre howitzers or equivalent;

  • Medium batteries, equipped with 155 mm calibre howitzers or equivalent;

  • Heavy batteries, which are equipped with guns of 203 mm or more calibre, but are now very rare; and

  • Various more specialised types, such as Anti-aircraft , Missile , or Multiple Launch Rocket System batteries.

  • Headquarters batteries, which themselves have no artillery pieces, but are rather the command and control organization for a group of firing batteries (for example, a regimental or battalion headquarters battery).


The battery is typically commanded by a Captain in U.S. forces and is analogous to the Infantry Company . In UK and Commonwealth forces a battery commander (like his infantry company commander counterpart) is a major. The battery is divided into the following units:
  • the firing section, which includes the individual gun sections. Each gun section is typically led by a staff sergeant or a sergeant first class(Army); the firing section as a whole is usually led by a lieutenant and a senior NCO.

  • the forward observers (OPs or FOs), usually a group of enlisted men under the supervision of a Lieutenant , situated in a forward position (forward OP) close to the enemy, or possibly observing from aircraft, to determine the locations of targets, provide feedback on the accuracy of fire, and providing calls for fire and adjustments, eg, drop 200, three rounds fire for effect.

  • the fire direction center(FDC), which computes firing solutions based on map coordinates, receives fire requests and feedback from observers and infantry units, and communicates directions to the firing section. It also receives commands from higher headquarters (i.e. - The battalion FDC sends commands to the FDCs of all three of it's batteries for the purpose of synchronizing a barrage).


Historically, many countries also maintained coastal defence batteries, typically equipped with very heavy guns in fixed, Fortified emplacements along approaches to Seaport s, and intended to provide defense against Warship s. These are now obsolete. A few countries maintain coastal defence artillery units, but these units are organised and equipped quite differently to traditional artillery, often with rockets and Torpedo es.

Groupings of Mortar s are often referred to as Platoon s rather than batteries; mortars are typically considered Infantry weapons.


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