A compact gas-turbine plant reduces the area that must be enclosed by machinery armor. Designers could concentrate a given armor weight into a thicker deck or belt over the smaller protected volume. Turbines could also sit deeper and farther inboard, making them less exposed to mines and torpedo damage. Combined with greater subdivision, the propulsion change could therefore improve a ship's ability to absorb damage even when designers do not spend the saving on additional speed.
Notable Point · 3:12:22-3:13:29
Compact machinery concentrates warship protection
The closing ship-design argument turns reduced machinery volume into stronger protection rather than only more speed or weapons.