GUNS VS. MISSILES, THE LATEST ROUND: Can howitzers and naval guns shoot down incoming ballistic missiles? The U.S. Secretary of Defense says yes. “The novel project will turn U.S. Army field artillery into ballistic missile defenders. Each U.S. Army Armored Brigade Combat Team has a battalion of 18 Paladin howitzers, meaning the platform is already integrated into the structure of heavier Army brigades. There’s no mention of whether or not the lighter M777 towed howitzer used by light infantry, airborne, air assault and Stryker brigades is capable of using the new projectile. The M777 is also used by the Marine Corps and allies such as Canada and Australia.”