High-speed operations make fuel consumption surge

Warships prefer to retain substantial fuel reserves because consumption rises rapidly when they accelerate above economical cruising speed. Mercogliano's figures for Lexington's Task Force 11 show daily consumption rising from roughly five percent to ten or fifteen percent during its approach toward Rabaul. A modern nuclear-powered carrier avoids that bunker-fuel constraint, while its gas-turbine escorts still need frequent replenishment. Rapid movement between oceans therefore depends on oilers and suitable ports along the route for the whole group. A threatened Red Sea transit or a diversion around Africa adds further demands when oilers are unavailable along the alternative route.