russ_watters said:A ship that doesn't plane has what's called a "displacement hull." Displacement hull ships have a top speed that's proportional to the square root of the water line length. At "hull speed" (the max speed for that ship), the ship sits in a trough between the bow and stern waves and going faster means lifting the ship out of the water to ride up the bow wave. So while a frigate tops out at 29 knots - and I know from experience that doubling the engine output at 25 knots only pushes you up to 29 - a carrier actually tops out at about 45.
The speed of a vehicle is determined by its size, weight, and power. Big ships have a streamlined hull design and powerful engines, allowing them to move through water more efficiently. On the other hand, big planes have to overcome the force of gravity to take off and maintain flight, which requires a lot more power and fuel. This makes it difficult for them to achieve high speeds.
While it is unlikely for big planes to surpass the speed of big ships, technological advancements have allowed for faster and more efficient aircrafts. For example, the Concorde was a supersonic passenger jet that could reach speeds of up to 1,354 mph, which is faster than most big ships. However, it was retired due to high costs and noise pollution.
Smaller planes, such as fighter jets, can definitely be faster than big ships. These planes are designed for speed and agility, and can reach top speeds of over 2,000 mph. However, they are much smaller and cannot carry as much cargo or passengers as big ships.
In addition to size and power, the medium in which the vehicle operates also plays a role in its speed. Ships move through water, which is denser and provides more resistance compared to air. This means that even with the same amount of power, a ship will move slower than a plane due to the medium it is in.
It is possible for new technology to make big planes faster in the future. For instance, advancements in engines and aerodynamics could potentially allow for more efficient and faster flight. However, it is also important to consider the practicality and safety of such high speeds in commercial flights.