How viable would the proposed US nuclear strike cruisers have been?
Short answerThey would have been useful as an intermediate diplomatic and military signal between a destroyer and a carrier or amphibious task group.
NotesThe answer links ship types to graduated naval diplomacy. With the Perry class gone, the LCS unable to fill the role, and Constellation-class frigates not yet available, the United States has few intermediate options between an Arleigh Burke and a much larger task group. A strike cruiser could signal increased seriousness without immediately committing overwhelming force.