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Abstract
Nuclear energy has found widespread application in naval and military installations around the world. Recent advancements, particularly in Generation IV nuclear technologies, promise significant improvements in sustain-ability through reduced nuclear waste production, enhanced economic competitiveness, stronger proliferation resistance, and passive safety features. Despite these benefits, their application in future surface combatants remains unexplored, particularly as modern mission profiles demand elevated power and energy requirements. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of integrating Generation IV Small Modular Reactor (< 300 MWe) and Very Small Modular Reactor (< 10 MWe) technologies as power sources for next-generation naval platforms. The study focuses on two reactor designs: the Very High-Temperature Reactor and the Molten Salt Reactor. A detailed analysis evaluates the design implications of adopting these advanced reac-tor technologies, addressing aspects such as shielding, power generation, distribution, and conversion systems. Emerging technologies, including naval-directed energy weapons and advanced sensor systems, are incorporated to determine the impact of future mission requirements on ship design. A sizing model has been developed to assess the feasibility of integrating these technologies based on power, energy, volume, and weight requirements. The results indicate that the Small Modular Reactor technology can replace conventional gas turbine systems for surface combatants with a displacement of more than 8,000 tonnes. However, very Small Modular Reactor technology faces significant challenges due to its weight and space requirements, particularly for ships up to 16,000 tonnes displacement. Increasing the power output of very Small Modular Reactors offers the potential to reduce shielding requirements and enhance feasibility. A case study on a 9,800-tonne surface combatant design is presented to illustrate the findings. The study emphasises the critical role of energy storage systems in manag-ing variable power demands, especially for combatants equipped with advanced reactor systems combined with directed energy weapons and high-powered sensors. It also demonstrates that Small Modular Reactor configura-tions are comparable in size and weight to all-electric gas turbine systems, offering a viable alternative for future surface combatants. Although Generation IV (very) Small Modular Reactor systems offer significant potential for enhanced autonomy and future-proofing power capabilities, they present challenges related to weight, volume, and design flexibility. The findings provide a framework for naval capability development, supporting the design of advanced nuclear-powered surface combatants for global navies and broader maritime applications.