bybombardementer

Bybombardementer is a term used in military theory and speculative fiction to denote an actor that relies primarily on bombardment as a means to achieve strategic objectives. The word is a neologism formed from the phrase by bombardment, with the agent noun suffix -er, and is not widely used in formal doctrine. In practice, a bybombardementer could refer to a person, unit, or autonomous system whose core function is to deliver explosive force to targets at a distance, including artillery batteries, missile strike platforms, and aerial bombing campaigns. The concept emphasizes the indirect and attritional effects of bombardment, such as psychological impact, command-and-control disruption, and infrastructure degradation, rather than close-quarters combat or rapid maneuver.

Origin and usage: The term arose in online defense analysis and wargaming communities in the late 20th to early 21st century as a way to categorize bombardment-heavy strategies without prescribing a specific weapon system. It remains niche and is rarely found in formal military doctrine; when used, it is typically in analytical or speculative contexts to contrast bombardment-centric approaches with maneuver-centric or precision-strike doctrines.

Ethical and legal considerations: Discussions about bybombardementer themes often engage with collateral damage, civilian safety, and compliance with international humanitarian law. In fiction, the term is sometimes employed to explore the moral consequences of overwhelming firepower.

See also: Bombardment, Strategic bombing, Artillery, Missile strike, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, Military doctrine, Wargaming.