Nuclear warships require industrial capacity beyond the hull

Would a major US nuclear surface-combatant programme cost as much as projected?

The estimate includes the reactors, construction capacity, dry docks, and lifetime support needed for additional nuclear ships, alongside work that could also benefit carriers.

The cost discussion includes reactor manufacturing, construction facilities, and maintenance support as well as the ships themselves. Building additional nuclear surface combatants without interrupting carrier construction would require extra industrial capacity. Their supporting dry docks and repair facilities would need to remain available throughout their service. Facilities large enough for these ships could also support carriers. The ship's own construction cost is therefore only part of the cost of supporting a larger nuclear fleet.