Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:43:39-4:44:18

The uneasy case for a nuclear-powered battleship

A nuclear-powered battleship is considered possible, alongside a personal objection to serving aboard a reactor-powered ship intended for heavy gun combat.

BattleshipsNaval ReactorsNuclear PropulsionWarship Design
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Question

Could a nuclear-powered battleship be viable?

Short answer

Theoretically yes, with a personal reservation about serving aboard a reactor-powered ship intended for heavy gun combat.

Notes

A nuclear-powered battleship is considered theoretically viable, but Clarke would not want to serve aboard it. His objection is to placing a reactor in a ship intended to batter opponents with heavy guns. Another participant suggests Russia or China as possible builders. A reply invokes the Zumwalt programme and congressional intervention to challenge any assumption that an American proposal could be ruled out.