British shell problems were already known by 1905, while HMS Dreadnought was being built. Rapid fleet expansion increased demand for ammunition, but stricter testing would slow deliveries by rejecting defective production. Politicians wanted to announce large orders without explaining that the shells had been delayed because they were inadequate. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy invested heavily in Dreyer and Pollen fire-control systems to improve accuracy. Those systems could place shells on target but could not make defective projectiles perform properly. The counterfactual therefore requires earlier testing and procurement standards to give shell reform time to reach the fleet before Jutland.
Chapter · 29:34-37:02
Why earlier shell reform required tighter quality control
Rapid fleet expansion and pressure to deliver ammunition competed with stricter testing, even as the Royal Navy invested in more accurate fire control.