Range, combat radius and fuel for fighting

Cruising range must cover the journey to an operating area, the return passage and fuel used during operations. The illustrative calculation divides 5,000 nautical miles into roughly 1,600 outward, a similar distance home and a remaining allowance for fighting. Halving the quoted distance gives an out-and-back radius only if no fighting is required at the far end. Fuel sufficient for about 1,800 nautical miles at an economical 15 knots is estimated to yield only about 400 at 32 knots. Dividing range by three is therefore a rule of thumb for allowing manoeuvres, fighting and contingencies, rather than a universal performance figure. The same reasoning applies to aircraft. Refuelling at sea extends endurance, while resupply at the destination permits a longer outward passage. The approximately 8,000-nautical-mile Britain-to-Falklands example illustrates the scale of maritime distances.