Hyman G. Rickover dominates discussion of the American naval nuclear program because of his influence and capacity for work. Political resentment, failure to understand his value, and conflict with parts of the military-industrial complex that were under investigation eventually ended his tenure. Those disputes also expose precedents for current American submarine-manufacturing problems. Even with those recurring difficulties, the American program had far fewer reactor events and submarine failures than Soviet and Russian operators.
Notable Point · 3:35-5:48
Rickover's influence and the politics of his removal
Rickover's extraordinary authority shaped American naval nuclear power, but political hostility and conflict with industry eventually helped end his tenure.