Nuclear bombs change what fleet air defence must achieve

By 1946, navies have developed extensive air-defence arrangements, including the big blue blanket, but nuclear weapons change the threat. Wider spacing offers some protection against a weapon capable of affecting a large area. Operational ships already manoeuvre much farther apart than publicity photographs suggest, with separations described in thousands or tens of thousands of yards. A single nuclear bomber is judged unlikely to penetrate a strongly defended task group, especially with fighters such as the F8F Bearcat available, so a serious attack would require a larger bomber force. A poorly aimed nuclear weapon cannot be treated like a conventional bomb or torpedo that misses a moving ship. The defence must destroy the delivery aircraft while working with the technology actually available in 1946.