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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Nuclear or conventional power for surface combatant ships: Department of the Navy. Report to the Congress

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5271775
GAO reviewed the controversy over whether the Navy's major surface combatant ships should be all nuclear powered, all conventionally powered, or a mix of both. Nuclear ships are more capable but cost more and their relative cost-effectiveness cannot be measured because Navy analysts cannot quantify many benefits of nuclear power. The Congress, in reviewing Navy shipbuilding plans for surface combatant ships, should be cognizant that buying only conventional ships will maximize naval firepower; buying only nuclear ships will provide mobility and greater freedom from logistics support; and buying a mix is a third option providing, to varying degrees, the advantages and disadvantages of the all-nuclear and all-conventional options.
Research Organization:
General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. (USA). Procurement and Systems Acquisition Div.
OSTI ID:
5271775
Report Number(s):
PB-269088; PSAD-77-74
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English