Reactor tradeoffs and an armored command cocoon

Small modular reactors could share the ship with gas turbines and diesel generators, although placing reactors in a hull expected to take hits remains a concern. If retained, reactors and other power sources could be separated in armored spaces rather than collected on the centerline. Automation would let the bridge, combat information center, and an emergency damage-control station each operate the whole ship. The principal wartime command center would sit inside an armored cocoon below decks, while camera feeds and digital controls preserve awareness after exposed bridge positions become unsafe.