Nuclear navy, or
nuclear-powered navy consists of
naval ships powered by relatively small onboard
nuclear reactors known as
naval reactors. The concept was revolutionary for
naval warfare when first proposed. Prior to nuclear power, submarines were powered by diesel engines and could only submerge through the use of batteries. In order for these submarines to run their
diesel engines and charge their batteries they would have to surface or snorkel. The use of nuclear power allowed these submarines to become true submersibles and unlike their conventional counterparts, they became limited only by crew endurance and supplies.