Realised that most modern submarines (and some aircraft carriers) use nuclear power, but destroyers and frigates don’t. I don’t imagine it’s a size thing, so I’m not sure what else it could be.
In: Engineering
Sharks vs dolphins is why military subs often use nuclear.
Sharks have gills so don’t need to surface, ever. You don’t know they’re there unless you’re in danger.
Dolphins can stay under water for a really long time, but they need to breathe air.
Nuclear power doesn’t need oxygen. Diesel does (augmented by battery and liquid oxygen, but that runs out way faster than nuclear fuel).
Nuclear is generally too expensive and politically unpopular for ships that don’t live in an oxygen-free environment.
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