Dreadnought itself was not the most radical ship Britain could theoretically have built. Triple turrets, superfiring guns, larger calibres, and greater speed were all conceivable, but combining them would have multiplied technological and strategic uncertainty. The same restraint appeared when later navies retained battleships while carrier aviation was still proving its capabilities. Armed forces are expected to preserve the state, making every technically possible leap an unacceptable gamble. That responsibility led the Admiralty to select a strong, supportable Queen Elizabeth design and leave its constructors' most ambitious sketch aside.
Notable Point · 1:02:07-1:04:15
Risk aversion and national survival
The episode closes by treating conservative procurement as a rational duty when unproven technology could endanger the force responsible for national survival.