In this interpretation, the Navy advanced CVA-58 for political as well as military reasons, while the Air Force opposed a naval strategic-strike capability that threatened its monopoly over that mission. The dispute echoed Royal Air Force faith in the bomber during the 1920s and 1930s. One comparison recalled here may have equated the destructive force of roughly 34 medium bombers with one battleship salvo. A battleship could repeat that fire about twice a minute for a good hour, sometimes firing faster when ready rounds were available. The comparison also had to account for whether the bombers could reach the forces they were meant to support. CVA-58 challenged the Air Force's claim to provide the strategic striking power on which national defence could depend.
Notable Point · 8:34-10:23
Service rivalry over strategic bombing
Control of strategic nuclear bombing made CVA-58 a threat to the Air Force's institutional position, while comparisons of bomber and battleship firepower left out endurance and reach.