Q&A · 2:24:26-2:26:27

Building a fleet around a 28-knot battle line

A fleet-design answer shows why increasing battleship speed propagates into scouts, screens, carriers, and foreign procurement.

Question

How would a Royal Navy battle line standardized at 28 knots change its cruisers, destroyers, and carriers?

Short answer

The entire supporting fleet would need more speed, pushing cruisers toward roughly 37 knots and forcing larger, costlier destroyers and carriers while other navies choose whether to match the advantage.

Notes

Fleet cruising and scouting speeds are set in relation to the battle line, so 28-knot battleships do not exist in isolation. Cruisers might need roughly 37 knots, with destroyers and carriers also becoming faster and therefore larger and more expensive. Rival navies must either match the British speed standard or accept tactical and strategic disadvantages while seeking another offset.