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A force multiplier is a military term referring to a factor that dramatically increases (hence "multiplies") the combat effectiveness of a military force. Each factor may apply more or less under different cirmcumstances. “Fights†redirects here. ...
Some common force multipliers are:
- Technology
- Morale
- Geographical features
- Weather
- Recruitment through diplomacy
- Training
- Strength of numbers
- The use of intelligence
Examples
A small group of well-equipped soldiers holding a fortified position at the top of a mountain, with the sun at their backs, may be far more effective than a larger group of soldiers with worse equipment in an exposed position with the sun in their faces.
A given infantry division may be able to advance 12 miles (20 km) in a day. Assigning trucks to this division will act as a force multiplier allowing the division to advance 40 miles (65 km) in a day. Air support, artillery, and other specialized weapons systems are other examples of factors that may dramatically increase the division's capabilities. In a similar vein, Air to Air Refueling tankers employed by some Air Forces throughout the world are massive force multipliers with aircraft - negating having to travel all the way back to a military base or carrier in order to refuel on a frequent basis - thus extending the ranges of fighters and bombers, keeping fighters over their targets or on Combat Air Patrols for significantly more time, and the like. Bold Bold texttext,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvMedia:Example. ...
Close air support (often abbreviated CAS) is the use of military aircraft in a ground attack role against targets in close proximity to friendly troops, in support of ground combat operations. ...
Artillery with Gabion fortification Cannons on display at Fort Point Continental Artillery crew from the American Revolution Firing of an 18-pound gun, Louis-Philippe Crepin, (1772 – 1851) A forge-welded Iron Cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. ...
Modern Western militaries are highly force-multiplied forces, in that a relatively small number of troops can successfully defeat much larger numbers of less well-trained and equipped enemies. For example, in the Battle of Mogadishu two Special Forces soldiers held off hundreds of militia for hours. In the 2003 War in Iraq, a smaller force achieved a much more difficult objective than in the 1991 Gulf War, because of advances in sensors, computers, and telecommunications.[citation needed] Combatants USSOF, UNOSOM II Somali National Alliance-affiliated militias Commanders William F. Garrison Mohamed Farrah Aidid Strength 160 2,000+ Casualties U.S. 18 killed 73 wounded 1 captured Malaysia 1 killed 7 wounded Pakistan 2 wounded Militia and civilians 1,000+ killed 3,000+ wounded Task Force Ranger achieved...
This article does not cite its references or sources. ...
For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...
Combatants US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf, Peter de la Billière, Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 378 dead, 1,000 wounded see section below The Gulf War or the Persian Gulf War (16 January 1991–28 February 1991)[1][2...
However, some military analysts believe that the overwhelming combat capabilities of advanced military forces may lead to a false assumption of their capabilities in every situation. For this reason, these strategists may argue that greater emphasis needs to be placed on "boots on the ground" (the actual number of troops present). Boots on the Ground is an all-purpose term used to describe ground forces actually fighting in a war or conflict at the time of speaking. ...
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."[citation needed] In several countries, Secretary of State is a senior government position. ...
General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army (Ret. ...
Another kind of force multiplier is to select a small number of highly-trained professional soldiers and smuggle them deep into enemy-held territory, where they covertly train indigenous civilians in guerilla warfare. In this scenario, an underground resistance movement disrupts enemy activities within their secured territory while regular military forces attack from outside.
The use of intelligence has the potential to be a force multiplier; prior knowledge of an enemy's location and strength allows one's own forces to be concentrated (or indeed weakened)at key points in advance of any action.
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