Why escort refueling cannot replace a fleet-oiler program

The panel speculates that a future large surface combatant could carry fuel for its own destroyer screen, much as carriers can support nearby escorts. That local capability would make the ship more self-contained and could provide internal volume for later conversion if the fuel tanks became unnecessary. It would not remove the need for oilers unless the navy built a very large number of the combatants. A handful of expensive command ships cannot carry the whole fleet's fuel distribution burden, especially after cost growth reduces planned numbers. The discussion also warns that bundling an auxiliary role into a politically favored combatant can delay a dedicated oiler decision without solving the underlying requirement. Organic support and theater-scale replenishment capacity remain different requirements.