Heavy use of the Forrestals strengthened the case for nuclear-powered successors. Meeting global demand by numbers alone might have meant three or four dozen conventional carriers. Strategic speed includes the ship's velocity and the logistical interruptions required to sustain it. Refuelling the reactors on a ten-to-twenty-year cycle removes repeated propulsion-fuel stops from a long transit. Nuclear propulsion leaves other supply needs in place but reduces a major constraint on strategic movement.
Notable Point · 37:14-38:23
Frequent carrier movement makes nuclear endurance attractive
Strategic speed includes fuel stops and sustainment as well as knots, which made nuclear propulsion an alternative to a much larger conventional carrier force.