The desired power densities of naval reactors make their design peculiar to military use, specifically high-displacement, high-speed vessels.

All naval nuclear reactors currently in use are operated with diesel generators as a backup power system.

Due to design and fuel enrichment differences, naval nuclear reactors do not use boric acid.

Both nuclear weapons production and naval reactors require fuel containing concentrated U-235.

About 137 active and 140 decommissioned or idle naval nuclear reactors, produced by the Soviet military, remain on the peninsula.

However, note that weapons-grade uranium is also used as fuel in naval reactors, because the high enrichment means the reactor can be very much smaller.

Part of the safety review and training process does involve the operation of naval reactors on land.

At the present time, many important vessels in the United States Navy are powered by naval reactors.

Soviet naval reactors have been used to power both military and civilian vessels, including:

The last step, turning the metal into fuel rods for the naval reactors, is carried out by private contractors in Connecticut and Virginia.