| > Do you have a source for this [power output profile of naval reactors] I was a submarine nuke reactor operator. Can confirm, we spent most of the time at essentially idle. There are effectively three things that will cause you to operate at high power on a submarine: * Boat needs to get somewhere _right now._ I've spent days at All Ahead Flank, which is mildly unnerving at first, because every parameter you can think of is just absolutely maxed out. Imagine Le Mans, but for multiple days, and when it's done you don't get to rebuild everything. * Coners (non-nukes) are practicing maneuvers. * Return To Port. While your Squadron more or less dictates this, I have definitely seen dates flex a little if your boat mysteriously makes far better time than expected. Carriers AFAIK have a somewhat higher average output, because they use their steam for flight ops as well as propulsion and electricity, and the topsiders have their own schedules. > ...they've got some average power output at which they could run perpetually over their shortened lifetime. What's that output? Actual power output for current naval reactors is classified. You can find guesses in various places, some of which are close, and some of which is hilariously wrong. |
Just like you might only use your car for 2 hours every day, but using its engine for 18 hours per day is probably fine.