Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:50:55-1:51:48

A mandated nuclear cruiser escort force

Building two nuclear cruisers for every two nuclear carriers would give the US Navy enduring high-end escorts able to match carrier endurance and serve as independent presence ships.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier GroupsNaval PresenceNuclear Powered CruisersUS Navy
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Question

How would a law requiring two nuclear cruisers for every two nuclear carriers affect global affairs?

Short answer

It would give the US Navy a durable high-end cruiser force for carrier escort and independent presence missions.

Notes

The hypothetical law would sustain a nuclear cruiser force alongside the reactivated Iowas and nuclear carriers. It could preserve a design above the Burke-class destroyer that the US Navy could continue building. Those cruisers would provide a larger ship for status and presence missions. Their principal escort advantage would be the ability to keep up with the nuclear carriers.