What is meant by the term 'Gun Laying'?

The term 'Gun Laying' refers to the process of aligning the gun or weapon system accurately in two planes—elevation and direction—so that the projectile will intersect with the intended target. This is crucial because it ensures that the projectile, once fired, travels on the correct trajectory to hit the target effectively. Proper gun laying takes into account various factors, including the distance to the target, the angle of fire, wind conditions, and the characteristics of the projectile itself.

In contrast, adjusting the target location based on distance primarily focuses on calculating where the target is in relation to the gun but does not encompass the physical movement of the barrel. Calculating the speed of the projectile is an important aspect of ballistic studies but is not directly related to the act of laying the gun. Setting the gun to fire at a specific angle does involve adjusting the barrel, but it does not fully capture the necessity of aligning in both elevation and direction, which is a critical component of gun laying.