Nuclear future for US fleet?

[GovernmentExecutive.com, 31 October] In future, all major vessels in the US Navy could be nuclear powered under the terms of the fiscal 2008 defence authorization bill currently being negotiated. In a measure already passed by the House of Representatives, the bill would establish that it is "the policy of the United States" to use nuclear power for all major vessels, including destroyers and cruisers. Nuclear powered submarines and aircraft carriers are already under construction. A recent Navy study has concluded that the life-cycle costs for a medium-sized nuclear powered ship would match those of a similar conventionally-powered ship if the cost of crude oil averages $70-225 per barrel over the ship's lifetime. Nuclear powered vessels are also able to stay at sea for longer periods without having to refuel and have lower heat signatures, making them less vulnerable to heat-seeking missiles, but cost an estimated $600-800 million more per ship than conventionally powered vessels. Negotiators in the House and Senate are reported to be "at odds" over the policy, with some suggesting that it would be a mandate that the Navy might not be able to carry out despite the advantages of nuclear-powered vessels. Two shipbuilders are currently certified by the US Navy to construct nuclear-powered ships.