Modern surface-combatant range depends on the navy's operating distances. American frigate requirements call for substantial endurance because of the distances involved in American operations. Adapting many European designs to similar range could require considerable work. Italian destroyers illustrate how an apparently short range depends on the comparison being made. Their endurance is judged appropriate to Italian needs, even when it falls below the American benchmark.
Notable Point · 3:08:46-3:09:43
Comparing frigate and destroyer range across navies
American frigate endurance is used to explain why a European destroyer can look short-ranged while still meeting its navy's needs.