Salvo

A salvo is the simultaneous discharge of artillery or firearms including the firing of guns with the purpose of hitting a target or in the performing of a salute. Troops armed with muzzleloaders required time in which to refill their arms with gunpowder and shot. Gun drills were designed to enable an almost continuous rain of fire on the enemy by lining troops into ranks, allowing one rank to fire a salvo, or volley, while the other ranks prepared their guns for firing.

See also Barrage and Box barrage.