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{{Short description|French artillery system}}
[[File:Systeme An XI cannon de 6 Douay 1813.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|[[Canon de 6 système An XI]], founded in [[Douai|Douay]] in 1813.]]
[[File:Canon de 12 court Year XI system.jpg|thumb|Canon de 12 court, modèle 1803 (short 12-pdr cannon, Mk 1803), ''Le Papegay'', Year XI system. Founded in 1824 in [[Douai]]. Caliber: 120 mm (rifled in 1858). Length: 210 cm. Weight: 880 kg. Ammunition: 6 kg metal ball.]]
The '''Year XI system''' (French:"Système An XI", after of the 11th year of the [[French Republic]], i.e. 1803) was a French artillery system developed during the rule of [[Napoleon]]. The Year XI system was original in that it brought various improvements to the highly successful [[Gribeauval system]], on which many successes of the [[Napoleonic Wars]] relied. It especially consisted in streamlining the existing Gribeauval designs.<ref>''The Roots of Artillery Doctrine: Napoleonic Artillery tactics reconsidered'' by B McConachy - 2001 [https://www.jstor.org/pss/2677528]</ref> The main proponent of the new system was [[Auguste de Marmont|General Marmont]].<ref>Chartrand (1) pp.23-34</ref> It was superseded by the [[Valée system]].

==Definition==
In light of the [[French Revolutionary Wars]] it appeared especially that the Gribeauval 4-pdr was too light, and that the 8-pdr was too heavy for medium field artillery.<ref>Dawson et al (2007) p 70</ref> These two guns had not appeared adequate against enemy 6-pdr guns.<ref>''Napoleon's Guns, 1792-1815'' - René Chartrand p.21</ref>

In order to define the new improved system, Napoleon formed a committee of Artillery on 29 December 1801, presided by general [[Augustin Gabriel d'Aboville]], First Inspector of Artillery. The committee accomplished its research from 11 January 1802 to 21 July 1802.<ref>Dawson et al (2007) p 70</ref> Napoleon himself participated in the proceedings:

{{quote|"The artillery should have but 4 calibres, the 6, 12, 24 prs. and the 5½-in. howitzer. In this way we abolish 4 calibres. We should add 3 prs. for mountain equipment. In abolishing the [1-pdr] Rostaing guns, we get rid of stubborn beasts not worth the trouble they give. 3 prs. should be a minimum caliber."|Napoleon, on Gribeauval system.<ref>Dawson et al (2007) p 73</ref>| }}

The committee gave its results on 2 May 1803.<ref>Dawson et al (2007) p 74</ref>

[[File:Mortar 324mm 1811.jpg|thumb|left|Mortar of 324 mm. [[Strasbourg]], 1811.]]
One of the main findings of the committee was as follows:
* To recommend the introduction of a 6-pdr and the suppression of the 4-pdr and the 8-pdr.
* The field artillery would thus be composed of a 12-pdr cannon, a 6-pdr cannon and a 24-pdr (5.72-inch) [[howitzer]].
* The mountain artillery would have the short 3-pdr cannon, short 6-pdr cannon and 24-pdr howitzer.
* Siege artillery was also modified, with the introduction of new Long 24-pdr and Short 24-pdr.
* Garrison artillery was also modified, with the introduction of new Long 24-pdr, Long 12-pdr and Long 6-pdr cannons.
* New Mortars as well as 324mm, 216mm and 152mm mortars, and 405mm perriers.<ref>Dawson et al (2007) p 74, 173 and 177-179</ref>

==Obsolescence==
[[File:Canon obusier de 11 pouces Systeme An XI 1810.jpg|thumb|Canon obusier de 11 pouces (11-inch gun-howitzer), système An XI, bronze founded in 1810 at [[Douai]]. Caliber: 297 mm. Length: 2.56 m. Weight: 6,174 kg. Ammunition: shells.]]
The Year XI system would be further improved with the [[Valée system]] in 1828.

==See also==
{{Commons category-inline|Year XI system}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

== References ==

* Dawson, A.L., Dawson P.L. and Summerfield S. (2007) Napoleonic Artillery, Crowood Press, {{ISBN|978-1-86126-923-2}}
* Smith, Digby (trans) (2011) "The Austrian Cavalry Gun in Comparison to the Horse Artillery of Other States by Smola in 1827," ''Smoothbore Ordnance Journal,'' Issue 1, Ken Trotman Publishing, {{ISBN|978-1-907417-13-9}}
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{{Artillery of France}}
{{French weapons of the 19th century}}

[[Category:Artillery of France]]
[[Category:Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars]]

Year XI system - Revision history

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