What the Nuke Bros Can Learn from the Navy — and What They Can’t

[Marlin]

What the Nuke Bros Can Learn from the Navy — and What They Can't

https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2025/11/05/what_the_nuke_bros_can_learn_from_the_navy__and_what_they_cant_1145615.html

[fiveeleven]

The politics are irrelevant as far as the safe and efficient operation of a reactor. PWR, BWR, SMR-Yada Yada. The common denominator here is simple. Whatever the design of the reactor is, whatever market its operating in - Navy, DOE, current commercial, future commercial(nukebros) etc., the abilities of intelligent and highly trained personnel to operate the reactors is paramount. A large number of these personnel are Navy trained. Would the current commercial plants success rate have been achieved without the contribution of Navy trained personnel? More than likely not.

[hamsamich]

I think reactor plant design IS as important as good people operating it.  What would've happened to Chernobyl if the design would've been like any post late 1960s western nuke?  Reactor destruction possibly but not an (arguably) prompt critical explosion.  Obviously the people operating that plant put it in that situation, so you are correct that people operating the reactor are important, but reactor design along with its auxiliaries can go a long way as well.  Fukushima mods are a more modern example.  And believe me, I loves me an Ex-Navy nuke.