The narrow case for a nuclear-powered escort

Should more carrier escorts be nuclear-powered?

The proposal is roughly one per nuclear carrier to accompany exceptional maximum-speed transfers between theatres.

The proposed nuclear escort has a specific task: accompanying a nuclear carrier during a maximum-speed transfer between theatres. A panel suggestion of two escorts per carrier is reduced to roughly one for that particular requirement. The benefit is maintaining company throughout the transit so that the carrier arrives with a screen. A hypothetical pairing of Nimitz and a Virginia-class cruiser illustrates the difference between arriving escorted and arriving alone. The proposal does not extend nuclear propulsion to every surface escort.