Final answer:
2. Submarine, The first nuclear-powered vessel of the U.S. Navy was a submarine, which brought significant advancements in naval engineering, particularly in stealth and operational endurance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first U.S. Navy nuclear-powered vessel was a submarine. This marked a significant milestone in the history of naval engineering and warfare. Nuclear power provides a submarine with the ability to operate underwater for extended periods without the need to surface for air.
This advancement in propulsion systems has enhanced the strategic role of the submarine in naval combat and deterrence. The United States Navy benefited greatly from this innovation, as it allowed for unprecedented stealth and endurance. The first U.S. Navy vessel of this kind set the stage for future nuclear-powered naval vessels, including carriers and guided-missile cruisers.
The USS Nautilus (SSN-571) holds this distinction, commissioned in 1954 as the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine. Its nuclear propulsion system provided extended underwater endurance and increased speed compared to conventional submarines.
The successful deployment of the USS Nautilus marked a significant milestone in naval history, demonstrating the potential of nuclear power for military applications. This breakthrough in propulsion technology revolutionized submarine capabilities, paving the way for subsequent nuclear-powered submarines and influencing the development of nuclear-powered carriers and other naval vessels in the years that followed.