What term describes a ship's operational readiness?

The term that best describes a ship's operational readiness is "Material condition." This term refers to the state of a ship's equipment, systems, and overall functionality, indicating whether the vessel is prepared to perform its intended mission effectively. Evaluating the material condition involves assessing various aspects, such as the maintenance of machinery, availability of resources, and the operational integrity of systems. A ship with a good material condition is equipped and maintained to respond swiftly and efficiently to operational demands.

Other terms, while they relate to aspects of readiness, such as operational status, combat readiness, and mission capability, do not specifically encapsulate the comprehensive assessment of the ship's physical and functional state that "material condition" represents. Operational status might refer to how the ship is currently utilized, combat readiness usually emphasizes readiness for engagement or combat operations, and mission capability focuses on the ability to complete specific tasks. However, "material condition" covers the broader spectrum of a vessel's preparedness in all operational aspects.