* Ballistic indirect fire weapons can be backtracked by
counterbattery sensors, and engaged in flight by area defense
weapons.
* But indirect fire doesn't have to fly on unpowered, ballistic
trajectories. Juggling the thrust during the launch phase can
obscure the gun position, OGRE had rules for evasive shells,
and there is terminal homing to score a hit on point targets.
* Shaped charges can be discouraged by EM armor, but can indirect
fire use KE rounds? Maybe, if the arc is high enough ...
* OTOH, missiles with HEAT warheads were just what I had in mind
for the Mecha, so that point doesn't count.
But if arty can replace Mecha, can it also replace tanks?
Artillery depends on the Forward Observer, getting an eye to what needs
to be seen.
Artillery still needs to travel in space to get to its destination --
taking valuable seconds between identification, calling for support via
radio/satellite, the fire support reacting, calculating, aiming, firing,
the shell arcing through the clouds, then taking terminal guidance.
There are also RL anti-arty weapons.
gatling
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2007/03/12/US-pursues-anti-artillery-gun-system/UPI-16331173731299/
laser
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/786118/posts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artillery#Application_of_fire
reading more about artillery, "close supporting fire" is what you are
looking for here...
weaknesses about "arty instead of tanks"
-- radio direction finders -- using RDF to target enemy voice skwaks
-- jamming to jam enemy radios
the human element still needs to approach close to the target
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