flank speed
Ship's top speed
Flank speed is a naval term for the maximum sustainable speed of a warship—faster than full speed but below the absolute limit that would damage engines.
The term comes from battle formations where ships on the flanks needed extra speed to maintain position.
In general use, flank speed means going as fast as possible: We need to get this project done at flank speed.
- nuclear propulsionMovement powered by reactors
- hydroplaneSkid on standing water
- full throttleMaximum engine power
- full steam aheadComplete commitment to progress
- submarineUnderwater naval craft
engine room · emergency response · knots · combat readiness · war footing · naval warfare · cavitation · silent running · red line · drive · pursuit · torpedo tube · depth charge · sonar systems · diesel-electric · ballast tanks · battle stations · pressure hull
flank speeddead stop
Complete cessation of motion
all stop · full stop · dead in the water · stationary · at anchor
flank speedstanding down
Relinquishing a position
cruising speed · at rest · half speed · unhurried · reduced speed
flank, speed, flanks, flanked, flanking, flanker, speeds, speeded, sped