(BUFDRVR) wrote in message ...
A common rule of thumb is that the attacking force must have a 3x or
greater combination of quantity and quality to succeed in its attack.
Does this rule apply to air combat?


I believe I could argue it no longer applies to ground combat either.
Technology makes a good force multiplier, up to a point. I don't believe
coalition ground forces outnumbered Iraqi forces 3-1 in 1991 or 2003.

True. No US ground force trains under conditions where it enjoys a
3:1, or even 2:1, superiority in terms of raw numbers. This
discrepancy in mass is made up by two factors--first, use of superior
ISR and mobility (maneuver) to acheive a brief localized parity or
minor superiority at the decisive point (this is where BAI can help
tremendously, in isolating the decisive area from enemy reinforcement
or internal reorganization/maneuver), and second, use of additional
firepower, and more importantly precision fires (including CAS), to
give you a 3:1 advantage in *firepower* (number of crunchies, tanks,
etc., itself is meaningless--their combined firepower capability is
the key consideration) at that point.

Brooks


BUFDRVR