An official speed figure may state a ship's design requirement without revealing its absolute maximum. Modern US Navy figures follow a practice associated with nuclear submarines, while the Royal Navy has also concealed operational margins. Wartime opponents discovered that Rodney and Renown could exceed the speeds attributed to them. Historical comparisons therefore need to distinguish published requirements from demonstrated capability.
Notable Point · 25:47-26:24
Published warship speeds are not always maximum speeds
US and British published speed figures are described as design requirements or conservative public numbers rather than reliable statements of maximum performance.