Why do mortar shells have fins, but not artillery shells?

Question

Why do mortar shells have fins, but not artillery shells?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Mortar shells typically need fins because mortars are short-range and fired at high angles. The fins help stabilize them in flight. Artillery shells are generally fired at much higher speeds and longer distances, so they’re spin-stabilized by the rifling in the barrel instead. Different stabilizing methods for different types of firing situations.