- For the famous quote see Damn the torpedoes
Flank speed is a
nautical term referring to a
ship's true maximum speed but is not equivalent to the term
full speed ahead. Usually, flank speed is reserved for situations in which a ship finds itself in imminent danger, such as coming under attack by aircraft. Flank speed is very fuel-inefficient and often unsustainable because of
propulsion system limitations. The related term
Emergency may not be any faster than flank, but indicates the ship should be brought up to maximum speed in the shortest possible time.
