Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Mark 41 vertical launching system

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) is a modular, below-deck missile launching system designed for naval vessels, consisting of fixed vertical cells that store and fire a variety of missiles in support of multiple warfighting missions, including anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and strike warfare.^[1]^[2] Developed by Lockheed Martin, it is the standard vertical launch system for the U.S. Navy's surface combatants, such as Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers, enabling rapid, salvo launches without the need to reload at port.^[3]^[4] Introduced in the 1980s as an evolution from earlier arm launchers, the Mk 41 VLS revolutionized naval firepower by allowing ships to maintain a constant state of readiness and engage multiple threats simultaneously through its modular design and integrated weapon control systems.^[4]^[5] Over its service life, it has been upgraded to accommodate advanced munitions, with more than 50 years of Lockheed Martin expertise contributing to its reliability and adaptability across U.S. and allied navies.^[2]^[4] The system's key capabilities include launching missiles such as the Standard Missile family (e.g., SM-2, SM-3, SM-6), Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rockets (VLA/ASROC), and Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM), often quad-packed in a single cell for enhanced density.^[1]^[3] Its modular strike-length, tactical-length, and self-defense variants allow customization based on ship size and mission requirements, while recent innovations like at-sea reloading—first demonstrated in 2024—extend operational endurance without returning to base.^[6]^[7] Combat-proven in numerous operations, the Mk 41 VLS remains the world's most widely deployed vertical launch system, with ongoing contracts ensuring its integration into future platforms like the Constellation-class frigates.^[6]^[8]

History and Development

Origins and Early Development

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) was conceived in the late 1970s as an integral component of the U.S. Navy's Aegis Combat System, aimed at enhancing surface combatant capabilities during the Cold War.^[9] This development responded to evolving Soviet naval threats by prioritizing reduced maintenance requirements, immediate missile readiness, and multi-role versatility to launch various missile types for anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and surface strike missions.^[9] The system was designed to replace outdated mechanical arm launchers, such as the Mk 26 twin-arm launcher, which limited firing arcs and reload speeds, thereby addressing strategic needs for quicker reaction times against coordinated threats. Primary responsibility for the Mk 41 VLS development fell to Martin Marietta, predecessor to Lockheed Martin (through its electronics division), which handled overall system design, integration, and electronics. Following the 1995 merger of Martin Marietta and Lockheed Corporation to form Lockheed Martin, the company continued development and production.^[10]^[11] Later, companies like BAE Systems partnered with Lockheed Martin for ongoing module production and canister manufacturing to support the Navy's requirements.^[12] Initial development contracts were issued in the late 1970s and early 1980s to fund the engineering phases, with the program emphasizing modular construction for adaptability across ship classes like cruisers and destroyers.^[10] Engineering efforts centered on vertical launch technology to enable 360-degree firing without mechanical elevation, alongside compatibility for diverse payloads to maximize operational flexibility. A major focus was evaluating hot-launch versus cold-launch mechanisms, where hot launch—igniting the missile motor directly in the canister—was selected for its simplicity and faster engagement times, though it required innovations in exhaust plume management to prevent damage to adjacent cells and the host ship.^[13] Early prototypes incorporated these features, with static ground tests conducted in the early 1980s to validate canister sealing against environmental factors and ensure reliable missile egress.^[13] Sea trials followed on test vessels by the mid-1980s, refining issues related to deck integration and launch sequencing for sustained salvo rates.^[14] These phases culminated in the system's initial operational capability, marking a pivotal advancement in naval weaponry.^[1]

Introduction to Service and Upgrades

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) entered operational service with the U.S. Navy in 1986 aboard USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), the first Ticonderoga-class cruiser to incorporate the system, equipped with two 61-cell Mod 0 modules positioned forward and aft.^[1] This initial baseline configuration provided rapid-fire capability for anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and surface strike missions, marking a significant advancement over prior arm-launched systems by enabling below-deck storage and vertical launch of pre-loaded canisters. Early deployments highlighted the system's reliability in Aegis-equipped surface combatants, with the modular design allowing flexible integration across cruiser and destroyer classes. Subsequent upgrades in the 1980s and 1990s focused on expanding canister options to support extended-range missiles, such as the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile, through the introduction of strike-length modules approximately 25 feet long. In the 2000s, modifications from Mod 6 to Mod 10 enhanced compatibility with advanced strike weaponry, including larger-diameter missiles for improved range and lethality, while maintaining the core mechanical structure. By the 2010s, later iterations like Mod 13 incorporated advanced hot-gas management systems to handle higher exhaust flows from evolving payloads and reduced maintenance requirements through upgraded electronics and materials.^[13] These iterative improvements addressed operational challenges, including corrosion resistance in saltwater environments via reinforced cell hatches to prevent intrusion and degradation of trunnion bearings. Weight optimizations were also pursued for integration into newer hull designs, leveraging composite materials in select components to minimize structural demands without compromising survivability.^[13] Key modernization efforts included the VLS Improvement Program in the 1990s, which developed procedures and equipment for faster at-sea reloads to sustain combat endurance, building on early concepts for underway replenishment.^[15] Transition studies for peripheral vertical launching systems in the late 1990s and early 2000s informed the development of the Mk 57 VLS, an evolution of the Mk 41 designed for hull-perimeter installation to distribute risk and accommodate larger payloads on advanced platforms like the Zumwalt-class destroyers.^[16] As of 2025, ongoing block upgrades emphasize cyber resilience through integration with enhanced combat systems and continued refinement of at-sea rearming capabilities, demonstrated in successful 2024 and 2025 tests involving canister transfers to Mk 41 modules during exercises.^[17]^[18] Recent developments include testing phases for hypersonic missile integration, such as the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS), with sea-based cold-gas launch demonstrations validating compatibility with VLS architectures like the Mk 41 for future surface combatants.^[19] These adaptations ensure the system's relevance against emerging threats, with over 184 units deployed across U.S. and allied navies in 13 configurations ranging from 8 to 122 cells.^[1]

Combat Employment

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) achieved its first combat deployment during Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Gulf War, where Ticonderoga-class cruisers such as USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and USS San Jacinto (CG-56) launched BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack missiles against Iraqi command centers, air defenses, and infrastructure. On January 17, 1991, these ships contributed to an initial salvo of 122 Tomahawks from nine surface vessels in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea, with Bunker Hill firing 28 missiles and San Jacinto launching 15 over 44 days of operations. Surface ships fired a total of 276 Tomahawks during the conflict, with Mk 41-equipped platforms demonstrating the system's ability to support high-volume, rapid salvos without significant mechanical issues, underscoring its reliability in early combat scenarios.^[20]^[21]^[22]^[23] Throughout the 2000s, the Mk 41 VLS saw extensive employment in land-attack missions during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as defensive roles in Iraq's no-fly zones. In October 2001, cruisers like USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) launched Tomahawks from Mk 41 cells to target Taliban and al-Qaeda positions in Afghanistan, enabling precision strikes from standoff ranges. The 2003 invasion of Iraq involved over 800 Tomahawk firings, predominantly from Mk 41 systems on Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which supported coalition ground advances by neutralizing Iraqi Republican Guard units and leadership sites; for instance, USS Bunker Hill fired 13 missiles in initial strikes. Concurrently, the system provided anti-air coverage during Operations Northern and Southern Watch, with Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) launches from ships such as USS Bunker Hill intercepting Iraqi aircraft violating the southern no-fly zone, ensuring safe operations for allied patrols.^[24]^[23]^[25]^[26]^[27] In recent conflicts as of November 2025, Mk 41 VLS has been pivotal in defensive operations against Houthi threats in the Red Sea, with Arleigh Burke-class destroyers launching over 200 SM-2 and SM-6 missiles since November 2023 to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones targeting commercial shipping. These engagements, part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, have included successful intercepts by ships like USS Carney (DDG-64), achieving near-perfect hit rates against inbound threats and preventing strikes on protected vessels. Regarding support for Ukraine, the U.S. Pentagon approved Tomahawk transfers in late 2025 for potential integration with ground-based Mk 41-compatible launchers, aiming to bolster Kyiv's deep-strike capabilities against Russian forces, but President Trump rejected the proposal on November 1, 2025.^[28]^[29]^[30]^[31]^[1] Performance data indicates a combat success rate exceeding 99% across more than 4,200 total launches since the system's inception, with isolated misfires—such as booster failures in high-tempo sequences—resolved via onboard diagnostics and redundant cells to maintain operational tempo.^[1] The tactical evolution of Mk 41 employment has shifted from standalone anti-air defense in the 1990s to multi-role integration within carrier strike groups by the 2020s, enabling simultaneous Tomahawk strikes and SM-6 intercepts to support offensive power projection while defending against saturation attacks. This flexibility has allowed naval forces to conduct layered defenses and preemptive strikes, as seen in Red Sea operations where salvos combined offensive suppression with immediate threat neutralization.

Design and Technical Specifications

System Architecture and Components

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) employs a modular architecture centered on 8-cell modules, enabling flexible configuration from a single module to as many as 16 modules to suit specific ship designs and mission needs.^[13] These modules are produced in three lengths to accommodate varying payload requirements: strike-length at 303 inches (7.7 m), tactical-length at 266 inches (6.8 m), and self-defense-length at 209 inches (5.3 m), with each cell featuring a square cross-section of 25 inches (0.64 m).^[32] Key components encompass canister assemblies that encase missiles within the cells, incorporating weather seals to shield against moisture and corrosion during maritime operations. Upload hatches integrated into the module design facilitate potential reloading missiles at sea, with recent demonstrations using the Transferrable Reload At-sea Method (TRAM) first achieved in 2024 enabling this capability and supporting sustained deployment without port access.^[33] Fire control interfaces connect to systems like the Mk 99 illuminator for precise targeting coordination.^[12] Integration with the Aegis Weapon System (AWS) provides centralized command and control, enabling seamless coordination of launches across multiple modules. Each module demands up to 50 kW of electrical power, supplemented by dedicated cooling systems that utilize seawater for exhaust plume management and heat dissipation during firing sequences.^[1]^[34] Construction utilizes robust steel frameworks augmented by composite liners in critical areas to withstand high thermal stresses from missile ejections, with an empty strike-length module weighing approximately 16 short tons (14.5 metric tons). Safety mechanisms include electronic interlocks that inhibit premature ignition of ordnance and blast doors separating adjacent cells to contain potential malfunctions and prevent chain reactions.^[7]^[35]

Module Types and Configurations

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) employs three principal module variants, differentiated by height to suit varying missile lengths while maintaining a core 8-cell structure arranged in a 2 by 4 grid. The Self-Defense Module (SDM) measures 209 inches (5.3 m) in height and is optimized for compact, short-range interceptors like the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), enabling up to four missiles per cell through quad-packing.^[32] The Tactical Length Module (TLM), at 266 inches (6.8 m), supports medium-length ordnance such as the SM-2 Standard Missile and Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (VLA).^[32] The Strike Length Module (SLM), extending to 303 inches (7.7 m), accommodates extended-range payloads including the Tomahawk land-attack missile, sharing many structural elements with the TLM for simplified maintenance.^[32] These modules integrate standardized round canisters that enhance interchangeability across compatible weapon types.^[36] Shipboard configurations scale from a single 8-cell module to extensive arrays, with 13 standardized setups deployed across the fleet, including 24, 44, 61, 92, and 122 cells to match vessel size and mission needs.^[7] Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, for example, incorporate 96 cells divided into forward and aft banks of 24 and 72 cells, respectively, providing balanced firepower distribution.^[13] Ticonderoga-class cruisers feature 122 cells in dual amidships clusters, with 61 forward and 61 aft, to optimize launch sequencing and storage capacity.^[1] Modules are positioned in forward and aft locations to preserve ship trim, minimize center-of-gravity shifts, and align with damage control boundaries, including dedicated magazine spaces below deck for reload support.^[37] The inherent modularity facilitates scalability through incremental additions or backfits during overhauls, allowing adaptation to new threats without full redesigns. As of December 2024, the U.S. Navy fields over 8,400 Mk 41 cells across more than 180 installations, underscoring its pervasive role in surface combatants.^[9] Smaller platforms face inherent constraints from limited deck area and structural loads, restricting Mk 41 fits to 16 or 32 cells on frigates like the Constellation-class, which allocates 32 cells amidships to balance anti-air and strike roles.^[38]

Launch and Control Mechanisms

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) employs a hot launch method, in which the missile's solid-fuel rocket motor ignites directly within the launch cell, generating thrust to propel the missile upward through the open hatch. To manage the intense heat and pressure from the exhaust gases, the system incorporates a dedicated hot gas management subsystem consisting of a common exhaust plenum beneath the module and uptake vents that direct gases below deck and out of the ship, preventing damage to the structure or adjacent cells. This design ensures reliable launches in various sea states while maintaining the integrity of the launcher.^[13] Control of the Mk 41 VLS is fully integrated with the host ship's Combat Information Center (CIC) and Aegis Combat System through secure data links, allowing seamless coordination across the vessel's sensors and weapons. Fire solutions are generated using inputs from the AN/SPY-1 multifunction radar for target acquisition and tracking, combined with illumination from the Mk 99 ship self-defense fire control director for semi-active homing missiles. The system's open, distributed architecture facilitates compatibility with diverse payloads via standardized mechanical, electrical, and weapon control interfaces, enabling the launch of surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-submarine missiles without reconfiguration.^[1]^[2] The firing sequence commences with radar detection and designation of the target within the CIC, followed by automated selection of the optimal canister based on missile type and availability. Upon command, the cell hatch opens, and the missile booster ignites, ejecting the weapon clear of the launcher in a matter of seconds before the main engine activates and guidance is transferred to the missile's onboard autopilot for terminal flight. This process supports ripple firing for salvo engagements, with the ability to prepare and launch multiple missiles simultaneously from an eight-cell module to address saturation threats rapidly. Built-in diagnostics provide real-time monitoring of canister status, pressure, and system health, enabling fault isolation and quick recovery to sustain operational readiness.^[13]^[12]

Supported Weaponry

Surface-to-Air Capabilities

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) provides robust surface-to-air capabilities through its integration with the Aegis Combat System, enabling the launch of several Standard Missile family variants optimized for air defense against aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats.^[39] These missiles leverage the VLS's modular canisters to store and fire vertically, allowing for rapid response without the constraints of rail-based launchers.^[40] Primary surface-to-air missiles include the Standard Missile-2 (SM-2), which serves as the U.S. Navy's core fleet air defense weapon with ranges varying by variant from approximately 167 km for the medium-range (MR) Block IIIA to over 370 km for the extended-range (ER) Block IV, engaging threats at altitudes up to 65,000 feet using semi-active radar homing guidance.^[41] The SM-3, designed specifically for ballistic missile defense, operates in exo-atmospheric environments to intercept short- to intermediate-range threats via hit-to-kill kinetics, with its four-stage design facilitating vertical ascent from the VLS for efficient boost-phase trajectory.^[42] Complementing these, the SM-6 offers multi-role versatility with an extended range exceeding 370 km, providing area air defense while also supporting ballistic missile and surface engagements through active radar homing derived from the AIM-120 AMRAAM.^[43] For point defense, the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) delivers medium-range protection up to 50 km against anti-ship missiles and low-flying aircraft, uniquely quad-packed in a single Mk 41 cell via the Mk 25 canister to maximize firepower density—up to four missiles per cell.^[44] The VLS's architecture enhances these capabilities with an all-around launch envelope, permitting 360-degree threat engagement by tilting missiles post-vertical ejection, a key adaptation that optimizes the SM-3's exo-atmospheric performance and enables seamless integration across mission profiles.^[3] Engagement modes supported by the Mk 41 emphasize layered defense: SM-2 and SM-6 missiles handle area air defense for fleet-wide protection, while ESSM focuses on close-in point defense for individual ship self-protection.^[42] This is augmented by integration with the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), a networked sensor fusion system that allows Mk 41-equipped ships to share real-time targeting data across platforms, enabling cooperative fires where one unit detects and another launches.^[39] Performance highlights include the SM-3's direct kinetic impact for precise intercepts without explosives and ongoing upgrades, such as the SM-6 Block IB, which is in development as of 2025 to counter hypersonic threats through improved multi-mode seekers.^[43] On Aegis-equipped vessels like Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, typical Mk 41 loadouts dedicate around 50% of cells to surface-to-air missiles, balancing air defense with other missions—for instance, a 96-cell configuration might allocate 48 to SAMs such as a mix of SM-2, SM-6, and quad-packed ESSMs to ensure robust threat coverage.^[45]

Surface-to-Surface Capabilities

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) enables surface-to-surface operations through its integration of long-range cruise missiles designed for land-attack and anti-ship missions, providing naval forces with standoff precision strike capabilities from protected positions.^[46] These functions rely on strike-length modules, which accommodate missiles up to approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) in length, distinct from shorter tactical-length modules used for other payloads.^[46] The primary missile for land-attack roles is the BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), with variants offering ranges from 1,000 to 2,500 kilometers depending on fuel load and configuration.^[47] Launched from strike-length cells in the Mk 41 VLS, the Tomahawk employs inertial navigation and GPS guidance post-ejection via a gas generator, allowing autonomous flight to pre-programmed targets.^[3] Recent upgrades in the Block V series, introduced in the early 2020s, enhance communication and navigation for multi-mission flexibility, while the Block Va Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) variant adds a multi-mode seeker for engaging moving naval targets, expanding its anti-ship utility.^[47]^[48] For dedicated anti-ship strikes, the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) integrates seamlessly with the Mk 41 VLS, using a Mk 114 booster for vertical ejection and subsequent powered flight.^[49] This stealthy missile, with a range exceeding 500 kilometers, features autonomous target recognition, electronic warfare resistance, and precision guidance derived from the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile family, enabling operation in contested environments without real-time human input.^[50] Successful end-to-end tests, including surface launches from Mk 41-equipped platforms, were validated as early as 2014, confirming compatibility with existing shipboard fire control systems.^[49] Tactical employment emphasizes coordinated salvos for overwhelming defenses, with up to 50% of a ship's Mk 41 cells configurable in strike-length modules—such as 48 cells on select Arleigh Burke-class destroyers—to carry Tomahawk or LRASM loads, synchronized via the Link 16 tactical data network.^[51] Export of these capabilities is tightly controlled, with Tomahawk technology restricted under U.S. regulations and approved only for select allies like the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and the Netherlands, often requiring specialized integration support for their Mk 41-equipped vessels.^[52] This ensures sensitive guidance and propulsion systems remain protected while enabling allied interoperability.^[53]

Anti-Submarine and Other Payloads

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) enables anti-submarine warfare (ASW) primarily through the Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (VLA), designated RUM-139, which delivers lightweight torpedoes to underwater targets.^[54] The VLA achieves a range of approximately 22 kilometers (24,000 yards) and originally carried the Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedo, with all units upgraded to the Mk 46 Mod 5A (SW) variant and later integrated with the Mk 54 lightweight hybrid torpedo for enhanced guidance and lethality.^[55]^[54] Upon vertical launch from the Mk 41, the solid-fuel rocket motor propels the payload to the designated area, where the torpedo separates, parachutes into the water, and activates its acoustic homing system for independent engagement.^[56] This system is compatible with the tactical-length (short) modules of the Mk 41, allowing integration alongside other munitions in multi-mission loadouts, though the larger size of VLA canisters often limits the number of ASW cells in a given configuration to prioritize balanced missile mixes.^[2]^[1] Development of the VLA began in the early 1980s as an adaptation of the earlier surface-launched ASROC for vertical launch compatibility, with full-scale production starting in 1992 following the end of the Cold War.^[57]^[58] Post-Cold War naval strategy placed greater emphasis on blue-water ASW to counter evolving submarine threats from non-Soviet adversaries, driving the VLA's integration into over 200 U.S. Navy surface ships and allied vessels for rapid, standoff torpedo delivery.^[59] Variants of the VLA have incorporated advanced sonobuoys for improved target detection, enhancing its role in networked ASW operations.^[54] Beyond ASW, the Mk 41 supports non-standard payloads for defensive countermeasures via the Extensible Launching System (ExLS), an adapter installed in existing VLS cells to launch active decoys such as the Nulka.^[60] The Nulka is a rocket-boosted, hover-capable decoy that emits radar signals to seduce incoming anti-ship missiles away from the host vessel, with each ExLS unit quad-packing up to four such decoys for rapid deployment from tactical or strike-length modules.^[61] This capability augments traditional chaff and infrared flare systems, providing electronic warfare options directly from the VLS without dedicated launchers.^[62] Conceptual explorations have considered the Mk 41's adaptability for additional countermeasure dispensers, leveraging its modular architecture for future multi-role expansions, though these remain in development as of 2025.^[63] Ongoing testing with lightweight hybrid ASW missiles continues to refine VLA integrations, focusing on enhanced propulsion and sensor suites compatible with the Mk 41's open architecture.^[64]

Variants and Evolutions

Mark 41 Baseline Variants

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) has evolved through a series of baseline modifications, designated as Mods 0 through 13, each introducing hardware refinements to support expanding mission requirements, missile types, and technological integrations. These incremental updates prioritize compatibility with the Aegis combat system, enhanced launch reliability, and adaptability to diverse hull forms, while maintaining the core modular 8-cell design.^[1]^[13] The earliest baselines, Mods 0 through 2, entered service in the 1980s aboard Ticonderoga-class cruisers, marking the initial integration with the Aegis weapon system for multi-mission operations. These versions employed a basic hot-launch mechanism, in which the missile's rocket motor ignites within the canister, with exhaust directed downward through deck vents to minimize topside signatures. Canisters were limited to self-defense (approximately 209 inches deep) and tactical (266 inches deep) lengths, optimized for Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) and Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (VLA/ASROC) payloads, providing foundational rapid-response capabilities against air and subsurface threats.^[1]^[32] Mods 3 through 5, developed in the 1990s, addressed limitations in accommodating longer-range strike weapons by introducing strike-length canisters (approximately 303 inches deep) compatible with the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile. These variants incorporated improved sealing materials and structural reinforcements to enhance environmental resistance against saltwater corrosion and shock, ensuring operational integrity in harsh maritime environments. The changes expanded the system's versatility for surface-to-surface missions without requiring full launcher redesigns.^[7]^[32] From the 2000s to 2010s, Mods 6 through 10 focused on air defense enhancements and survivability improvements, notably enabling quad-packing of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) within self-defense cells to quadruple capacity per module against saturation attacks. Hardware updates included refined venting systems and low-observable modifications to reduce radar cross-section, alongside electronics upgrades for faster sequencer processing and redundant fire control interfaces. These baselines supported broader Aegis modernization efforts, improving reaction times and integration with evolving sensor networks.^[13]^[1] The most recent baselines, Mods 11 through 13, rolled out in the 2020s, emphasize future-proofing through advanced electronics modularization at the cell level, utilizing commercial off-the-shelf components for cost-effective upgrades and higher data throughput. These mods support integration of next-generation effectors, with ongoing developments for a Growth VLS variant to accommodate hypersonic weapons like the Conventional Prompt Strike missile, via reinforced power distribution and thermal management systems to handle increased launch energies. As of 2025, ongoing developments continue to refine these capabilities for high-speed, long-range precision strikes.^[13]^[65]^[66] Across all baselines, primary differences lie in canister depth variations to match payload requirements—self-defense for short-range interceptors, tactical for medium-range missiles, and strike for extended-body weapons—along with progressive electronics enhancements from analog to digital architectures for improved diagnostics and interoperability. Deployed in 13 distinct configurations ranging from 1 to 122 cells, these variants equip over 100 U.S. Navy surface combatants, underscoring their role as a scalable backbone for fleet defense and offensive operations.^[7]^[13]^[12]

Mark 57 Peripheral Vertical Launching System

The Mark 57 Peripheral Vertical Launching System (PVLS), developed by Raytheon in collaboration with BAE Systems during the 2000s, was specifically designed for the U.S. Navy's Zumwalt-class destroyers (DDG-1000 class) to accommodate future missile technologies beyond the capabilities of the Mk 41 VLS.^[38]^[67] This system features larger cells measuring approximately 27 inches square with a maximum canister width of 28 inches and a height of 26 feet (7.93 meters), providing about 25% greater volume per cell compared to the Mk 41 to support missiles with increased propulsion, weight, and size, including potential hypersonic weapons.^[67]^[13] Key innovations in the Mk 57 include its peripheral placement along the ship's hull edges in four-cell modules, which enhances survivability by distributing launchers to reduce vulnerability to battle damage and improve overall ship resilience.^[38]^[13] The system incorporates an advanced exhaust gas management setup for hot-launch operations, capable of handling higher volumes of exhaust—up to 45% more than the Mk 41—while maintaining compatibility with existing munitions like the SM-6, Tomahawk, and ASROC.^[67]^[38] This peripheral configuration also facilitates easier maintenance access from the sides of the hull, unlike the centralized interior placement of the Mk 41, further contributing to operational advantages in damage resistance and servicing efficiency.^[13]^[68] In 2025, the U.S. Navy conducted end-to-end flight tests of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) using a cold-gas launch method, informing integration efforts. The Zumwalt class serves as the pilot platform for sea-based hypersonic capabilities.^[69] Deployment of the Mk 57 began with the lead ship USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), commissioned in 2016, followed by USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) in 2019, with USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) scheduled for commissioning in 2027, each equipped with 80 cells across 20 modules.^[38]^[70] As of 2025, the system is undergoing upgrades to integrate the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS), with initial at-sea tests planned for 2027 or 2028 aboard USS Zumwalt to enable hypersonic strike capabilities leveraging the deeper cells (up to approximately 9 meters effective depth).^[71]^[72] It is also slated for incorporation into the future DDG(X) destroyer program, though production remains limited to the Zumwalt class, with potential international exports under evaluation amid ongoing naval modernization efforts.^[38]^[73]

Deployment and Operators

United States Navy Integration

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) serves as a cornerstone of the United States Navy's surface combatant armament, enabling rapid deployment of missiles for multi-mission roles including air defense, anti-surface warfare, and land attack. Integrated primarily on Aegis-equipped ships, it enhances fleet lethality by allowing flexible payload configurations below deck, with modules arranged in centralized magazines for survivability. As of 2025, the system equips over 100 surface combatants, providing approximately 8,400 VLS cells in total.^[9] Key platforms include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, which feature 122 Mk 41 cells arranged as two 24-cell tactical modules forward and nine 8-cell modules aft, though the class is undergoing decommissioning, with most ships retired by 2027 and three extended to 2029.^[1]^[74] The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the backbone of the fleet with over 70 ships in Flights I, II, and IIA, carry 90 cells on earlier variants (29 forward and 61 aft) or 96 cells on Flight IIA ships, supporting extended strike and defense operations. The forthcoming Constellation-class frigates will incorporate 32 Mk 41 cells, marking the system's adaptation to smaller multi-mission hulls for distributed maritime operations.^[38]^[75] In US Navy doctrine, the Mk 41 VLS is integral to the distributed lethality concept, which emphasizes arming surface forces offensively to complicate adversary targeting and enable proactive engagements across contested environments. Ships employ mixed loadouts tailored to mission needs, typically balancing defensive assets like Standard Missile-2/6 for area air defense with offensive options such as Tomahawk cruise missiles for precision strikes, allowing commanders to allocate cells dynamically—often prioritizing a blend of approximately 40-60% for defense versus strike depending on threat scenarios. This flexibility supports networked operations within carrier strike groups and surface action groups, amplifying the fleet's overall firepower projection.^[76]^[77] Sustainment of the Mk 41 VLS relies on long-term contracts with Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems for production, refurbishment, and life-cycle support, including canister manufacturing and electronic upgrades to maintain reliability across the fleet. Recent advancements include at-sea reloading trials using the Transferrable Rearming Mechanism (TRAM), successfully demonstrated in October 2024 aboard USS Chosin (CG-65), which enables underway replenishment of missile canisters to extend operational endurance without port returns.^[78]^[79]^[80] Looking ahead, the Mk 41 VLS will remain in widespread service through the 2030s on Arleigh Burke follow-on flights and Constellation-class ships, while the next-generation DDG(X) destroyer program plans integration of an advanced Growth VLS to accommodate larger future effectors, ensuring evolutionary compatibility with existing Mk 41 infrastructure.^[38]^[81]

International Operators and Exports

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) has been exported to several allied nations, enhancing their naval capabilities through integration with Aegis combat systems and compatible missiles, while adhering to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for technology transfers. As of 2025, major international operators include Japan, South Korea, and Australia, with the United Kingdom in the process of adopting the system for future platforms. These exports began in the 1990s, primarily to Japan as part of cooperative defense programs, and have since expanded to support regional security architectures in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is the largest foreign operator of the Mk 41 VLS, with approximately 109 modules deployed across multiple classes as of 2025, equivalent to about 872 cells. The system equips the Kongō-class (four ships, 90 cells each), Atago-class (two ships, 96 cells each), Maya-class (two ships, 96 cells each), and Akizuki-class (four ships, 32 cells each) destroyers. As of November 2025, only JS Niyodo (FFM-7) of the Mogami-class multirole frigates is commissioned with 16 Mk 41 cells (May 2025), with subsequent ships (FFM-8 onward) fitting or planning the installation; plans call for 12 such frigates, each adding two 8-cell modules. Japan's version supports domestic munitions like the Type 07 Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (VL-ASROC), alongside U.S. missiles such as the RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow (ESSM) and SM-3 Block IIA for ballistic missile defense.^[82]^[83]^[84] The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) operates the Mk 41 on its Sejong the Great-class (KDX-III) Aegis destroyers, with three ships in service as of 2025, each featuring 128 cells (80 Mod 5 tactical-length and 48 Mod 10 strike-length modules). These vessels, commissioned between 2008 and 2012, use the system for SM-2 surface-to-air missiles, Hyunmoo III land-attack cruise missiles, and K-ASROC anti-submarine rockets, marking South Korea's first indigenous Aegis platform with U.S. VLS technology.^[85] Australia's Royal Australian Navy (RAN) integrates the Mk 41 on its three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers, each with 48 cells, commissioned from 2017 onward as part of the Air Warfare Destroyer program. The system supports RIM-66 Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) and ESSM for air defense, with the Hobart class serving as the RAN's primary surface combatant for Indo-Pacific operations. In 2025, Australia announced plans to acquire up to 11 Japanese Mogami-class frigates under a historic defense export deal, each equipped with 32 Mk 41 cells, further expanding RAN's VLS inventory.^[86]^[87]^[88]^[89] The United Kingdom's Royal Navy does not currently operate the Mk 41 but has initiated integration for its future fleet. As of 2025, plans include equipping the Type 26 global combat ships and Type 31 frigates with Mk 41 modules to enable Tomahawk land-attack and NSM anti-ship missiles, with mid-life upgrades announced for all Type 31 vessels to boost strike capabilities; this transition supports NATO interoperability and addresses limitations in the existing Sylver VLS on Type 45 destroyers.^[90]^[91] Export history traces to the early 1990s, when Japan became the first recipient through co-production agreements under the U.S.-Japan security framework, enabling domestic manufacturing of Mk 41 modules by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Aegis-equipped destroyers. Subsequent sales to South Korea (2000s) and Australia (2010s) involved full technology transfer for integration with allied combat systems. Customizations in Japan include adaptations for indigenous missiles, such as the Type 12 anti-ship missile's upgraded variant planned for shipboard VLS compatibility by the late 2020s, though current use focuses on ASW and SAM roles; U.S. restrictions on Tomahawk exports to Japan were lifted in the early 2020s, allowing BMD upgrades.^[40]^[92] As of November 2025, potential exports include U.S. arms packages to Taiwan potentially incorporating VLS-compatible systems for enhanced deterrence, and exploratory talks with India for Aegis Ashore adaptations. Globally, non-U.S. navies operate an estimated several hundred Mk 41 modules, emphasizing ITAR-compliant transfers to maintain technological edges in allied coalitions.^[93]

References

[1]
MK 41 - VLS > United States Navy > Display-FactFiles
Sep 20, 2021 · MK 41 VLS is capable of launching multiple Standard Missile variants, Tomahawk, Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) and Evolved SEA ...
[2]
[PDF] MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) Proudly Serving Navies the ...
MK 41 VLS is the only launching system that can simultaneously accom- modate the weapon control system and the missiles of every warfighting mission area—anti- ...
[3]
Launchers - Naval Sea Systems Command
The MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) is a fixed, vertical, multi-missile storage and firing system that allows Navy vessels to significantly increase their ...
[4]
Launching Systems | Lockheed Martin
The MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) is the most reliable, combat-proven, multi-mission launcher for the U.S. and international navies. As the only ...
[5]
Lockheed Martin MK 41 Vertical Launching System Receives Navy ...
Through its evolution into a multi-missile, multi-mission launcher, the MK 41 VLS has revolutionized the way world navies think about naval warfare. No other ...
[6]
Navy Demonstrates First At-sea Reloading of Vertical Launching ...
Oct 15, 2024 · MK 41 VLS provides rapid-fire missile launch capability for the U.S. Navy's destroyers, cruisers and future Constellation-class frigates. Del ...
[7]
[PDF] MK41 VERTICAL LAUNCHING SYSTEM - Lockheed Martin
MK 41 VLS is the only launching system that can simultaneously communicate with weapon control systems and missiles of every warfighting mission area: anti- ...
[8]
Lockheed Martin Receives $67 Million Contract for MK 41 Vertical ...
The MK 41 VLS, a below deck missile launching system developed by the Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Marine Systems unit of Lockheed Martin, was ...
[9]
Closing the gap: China homes in on US Navy VLS advantage
Dec 20, 2024 · The modern naval VLS was developed in the late 1970s, and the US Navy started to introduce the system as a principal capability from the mid- ...
[10]
None
### Summary of MK 41 VLS History and Early Development
[11]
Vertical Launching System VLS Mk 41 - BAE Systems
BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin have teamed to produce the Vertical Launching System (VLS) Mk 41 for current and future naval surface combatants.Missing: Lockheed Martin 1980s
[12]
A Promising Future for US Navy: Vertical Launching Systems - DSIAC
Nov 2, 2019 · Rearming at Sea. The early Mk 41 VLS designs supported a requirement to be able to replenish expended missiles while out at sea. To facilitate ...Missing: 1970s | Show results with:1970s
[13]
U.S. Navy Missile Defense: Aegis Weapon System, Missiles, and ...
May 14, 2013 · Mk. 41 Vertical Launching Systems used to launch the SM-3 and other weapons are found on all Aegis warships. First introduced in the mid-1980s, ...
[14]
US Navy successfully transfers Mk 41 missile canister at sea
Oct 14, 2024 · The US Navy has succeeded in passing a strike-length missile canister from a naval auxiliary to a cruiser at sea.
[15]
[PDF] NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL THESIS - DTIC
The MK-57 launchers are contained and protected by the Peripheral Vertical Launching System (PVLS). The PVLS modules distribute the ship's missile launchers in ...
[16]
Navy Conducts First Successful Tests Reloading Missiles and ...
Oct 15, 2024 · Navy Conducts First Successful Tests Reloading Missiles and Rearming Warships At Sea · NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. · In a proof-of- ...Missing: 1978 1980 1982
[17]
Navy Refines Rearming at Sea in East Coast Experiment - USNI News
Jul 23, 2025 · The US Navy is moving closer to rearming warships in the open ocean following the successful reloading of missile canisters into a vertical launch system.Missing: block cyber resilience
[18]
U.S. Navy Proves Sea-Based Hypersonic Launch Approach
This test marked the first launch of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) capability utilizing the Navy's cold-gas launch approach that will be ...Missing: Mk 41 VLS
[19]
USS Bunker Hill Decommissions - Navy.mil
Sep 22, 2023 · At the end of January 1991 the ship launched its first Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs), a total of 28, against targets in Iraq from ...Missing: combat | Show results with:combat
[20]
San Jacinto III (CG-56) - Naval History and Heritage Command
Jan 30, 2024 · At 0130 on 17 January 1991, nine ships in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea fired the first of 122 BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles ...
[21]
Mobile Bay (CG-53) - Naval History and Heritage Command
Jan 30, 2024 · At 0130 on 17 January 1991, nine ships in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea fired the first of 122 BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles ...
[22]
Tomahawk | Missile Threat - CSIS
The Tomahawk was first deployed in combat in the 1991 Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm, with the first salvo launched from the USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964) ...
[23]
https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/tomahawk/
[24]
Navy cruiser delivers first strikes in war on Iraq
Mar 20, 2003 · The Bunker Hill launched a total of 13 Tomahawk missiles. Beginning at about 5:15 a.m., the cruiser fired four missiles. Then the ship sharply ...
[25]
Bunker Hill II (CG-52) - Naval History and Heritage Command
Jan 30, 2024 · The flaming sword also represents the revolutionary capability of the ship's Vertical Launching System. The stars represent the eleven battle ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[26]
USS Bunker Hill (CG 52)
Bunker Hill was the first Ticonderoga class cruiser to be equipped with the Mk. ... no-fly zone over southern Iraq. Bunker Hill made a historical visit to the ...
[27]
Navy fired more than 200 missiles to fight off Red Sea shipping ...
Jan 16, 2025 · Navy forces have fired more than 200 missiles against those attacks since the Houthis began their campaign in the strategic waterway in November 2023.
[28]
Navy's Fight in Red Sea Used 220 Missiles, But Officials Say That's ...
Jan 15, 2025 · According to McLane, the Navy fired 120 SM-2 missiles, 80 SM-6 missiles, and 20 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles and SM-3 missiles. The SM-2 ...Missing: Mk 41 VLS intercepts 2024
[29]
Pentagon clears Tomahawk missile transfer to Ukraine, final ...
Oct 31, 2025 · The Pentagon has approved providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, determining that the move would not affect US stockpiles, ...Missing: Mk 41 VLS 2024
[30]
MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS)
Jun 30, 1999 · The Vertical Launching System (VLS) Mk 41 is a canister launching system which provides a rapid-fire launch capability against hostile threats.Missing: history 0 5 6 Mod<|separator|>
[31]
[PDF] Vertical Launching System (VLS) Mk 41– Tactical-Length Module
Loaded with 8 VLA ASROC missiles . . . . . . 57,800. 26. Loaded with 8 SEASPARROW missiles . . . . 53,700. 24. Canister Weights. Pounds. Mk 13 with SM-2 Blk II ...<|separator|>
[32]
[PDF] GMLSs: PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS
It also provides mounting surfaces for the blast doors, span rails, and some train drive components. ... Each Mk 41 VLS contains two launcher control units (LCU 1 ...
[33]
Mk.41 Vertical Launching System VLS Navy DDG CG FFG
The Lockheed Martin Mark 41 vertical launching system (Mk 41 VLS) is a shipborne missile canister launching system which provides a rapid-fire launch capability ...
[34]
MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) - GlobalSecurity.org
Jul 7, 2011 · The Mk 41 VLS simultaneously supports multiple warfighting capabilities, including antiair warfare, antisubmarine warfare, ship self-defense, ...Missing: 2000s | Show results with:2000s
[35]
Vertical Launch Systems Evolve | Proceedings - U.S. Naval Institute
BAE Systems Land & Armaments is pushing ahead on manufacturing canisters that house the wide variety of missiles launched from the Mk 41 vertical launch system.
[36]
AEGIS Weapon System > United States Navy > Display-FactFiles
Sep 20, 2021 · The first AEGIS ship, USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47), was commissioned in 1983 and deployed six months after commissioning. The Navy built the ...
[37]
Aegis Combat System | Lockheed Martin
The land based transportable version of MK-41 is MK-70. • Integration with PAC-3 MSE enhances capability and capacity. MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS).Missing: cooling | Show results with:cooling
[38]
SM-2™ Missile | Raytheon - RTX
The SM-2 missile is the world's premier surface-to-air defense weapon, and a primary weapon for the US Navy. It defends against anti-ship missiles and aircraft.Missing: capabilities | Show results with:capabilities
[39]
Standard Missile > United States Navy > Display-FactFiles
SM-6 provides an extended range anti-air warfare capability both over sea and over land by combining a modified advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) ...Missing: ESSM | Show results with:ESSM
[40]
SM-6® Missile | Raytheon - RTX
The SM-6 missile is three missiles in one. It's the only weapon that can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and ballistic missile defense.Missing: role | Show results with:role
[41]
Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 1 (ESSM) (RIM 162D) - Navy.mil
Oct 21, 2022 · ESSM is a medium-range ... Increased firepower and lethality are realized with the MK 25 quad pack canister used for MK 41 Vertical Launch System ...
[42]
Destroyers (DDG 51) > United States Navy > Display-FactFiles
Mar 4, 2025 · The DDG 51-class guided missile destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.Missing: 1983 | Show results with:1983
[43]
[PDF] MK41 VERTICAL LAUNCHING SYSTEM - Lockheed Martin
With more than 4,300 successful missile firings, the MK. 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) is a combat proven launcher that eliminates problems associated ...
[44]
Tomahawk | NAVAIR
Future Block V capabilities will add to the NAV/COMMs upgrade and include the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) variant, designated as Block Va; and the Joint ...
[45]
Tomahawk® Cruise Missile | Raytheon - RTX
Block V: A modernized TACTOM with upgraded navigation and communication, Block Va: Block V that can strike moving targets at sea.
[46]
Lockheed Martin Successfully Tests LRASM MK 41 Vertical Launch ...
Jan 15, 2014 · In September 2013, Lockheed Martin successfully launched the first LRASM Boosted Test Vehicle from a MK 41 VLS launcher at White Sands Missile ...Missing: method | Show results with:method
[47]
LRASM Speeds Up 21st Century Security Solutions - Lockheed Martin
Apr 3, 2023 · LRASM has previously demonstrated the ability to launch from a surface, using a MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) canister with a MK-114 ...
[48]
[PDF] Vertical Launching System (VLS) Mk 41– Strike-Length Module
Mk 41– Strike-Length Module ... Power Required by 61-Cell VLS Launcher. 440 Vac 60 Hz 3 phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 kW.Missing: 50 | Show results with:50
[49]
US Strengthens Strategic Missile Strike Capabilities with $1 Billion ...
Jul 25, 2025 · In parallel, a significant effort is underway to develop a vertical-launch variant compatible with existing Mk 41 systems in the U.S. fleet.
[50]
US approves $2.19bn sale of Tomahawk missiles to Netherlands
Apr 28, 2025 · The US State Department has given its approval for a potential $2.19bn FMS involving Tomahawk missiles to the Netherlands.
[51]
Strategic Implications of Prospective U.S. Tomahawk Missile ...
Oct 7, 2025 · The U.S. Navy details that DDG 1000 class integration of Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) occurs in FY 2025, implying parallel modernization ...
[52]
Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket ASROC (VLA) Missile
Aug 31, 2021 · Originally deployed with the MK 46 Mod 5A(S) torpedo, all VLAs have been upgraded with the MK 46 Mod 5A (SW) torpedo. With Initial Operational ...
[53]
RUM-139 VL-ASROC vertical launched anti submarine rocket
Range: 24000 yards (22 kilometers) Warhead: Mk-46 torpedo, Mk-54 MAKO torpedo. images. rum-139 vl-asroc vertical launched anti ship rocket. RUM-139 VL-ASROC ...
[54]
ASROC - Naval Missiles of the United States of America - NavWeaps
Aug 13, 2023 · It carried either a Mark 46 torpedo or a nuclear depth bomb. The Vertical Launched ASROC (VLA) version is an ASROC modified to be fired from the ...
[55]
Lockheed Martin RUM-139 VL-Asroc - Designation-Systems.Net
Dec 6, 2004 · A full-scale development contract for this missile, designated as RUM-139A VL-Asroc (Vertical Launch ASROC), was issued to Goodyear in 1983.
[56]
Lockheed Martin Delivers 1,000th Vertical Launch ASROC Missile
Jul 6, 2009 · Development of the VLA missile began in 1984 and production units have been delivered to the U.S. and allied navies since 1992. To provide ...
[57]
RUR-5 ASROC RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA)
Jun 12, 2017 · It is installed in Aegis ships (cruisers and destroyers) with the Mk41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) and DD 963-class destroyers with Mk 41 ...
[58]
Lockheed Martin Successfully Demonstrates New Launching ...
12 Ağu 2010 · ExLS is installed in an existing Vertical Launching System (VLS) cell, providing a common solution for integrating missiles with the MK 41 and ...Eksik: UAVs | Şu terimi ara:UAVs
[59]
Nulka Radar Decoy System - Defense Update:
Aug 16, 2010 · ExLS is designed for interoperability with Mk 41 and Mk 57 Vertical Launch Systems. Each ExLS launcher can store and deploy four Nulka decoys.
[60]
New launch system for Nulka from Lockheed
Jun 5, 2012 · ExLS fits inside a VLS cell, serving as an adapter between the new weapon and the MK 41 or MK 57 launcher. The test in Australia also ...
[61]
Sweden's Stealthy Visby Corvettes Getting Mk 41 Based Vertical ...
Apr 14, 2025 · ExLS could also be used to launch Nulka decoys, each of which contains an electronic warfare system that actively pumps out signals that mimic ...
[62]
https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/new-launch-system-for-nulka-from-lockheed
[63]
Lockheed designing new VLS to equip next-generation destroyers ...
May 25, 2023 · Lockheed Martin is developing a new vertical launch system, resembling its existing Mk 41 launcher, that can fire hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike ...
[64]
All Of The Navy's Arleigh Burke Destroyers Will Get Hypersonic ...
Oct 21, 2020 · The “strike length” cells in the Arleigh Burke's Mk 41 VLS arrays are designed to accommodate missiles around 20 feet long at most, as well.
[65]
Mk-57 Peripheral Vertical Launching System PVLS Zumwalt DDG
The Mk 57 Vertical Launching System / VLS is an evolution of Mk-41 VLS. Unlike the Mk 41, the Mk 57 is designed to be installed on the ship periphery instead ...Missing: transition studies
[66]
HII's $74 Million Contract for Vertical Launch Systems Enhancement
May 16, 2024 · The Mk 57 VLS, developed specifically for the Zumwalt-class destroyers, offers improved flexibility, larger missile capability, and enhanced ...Missing: Peripheral 2025
[67]
US Navy to improve Zumwalt-class DDG VLS to enable multi-missile ...
Apr 10, 2024 · The Mk57 VLS installed on the Zumwalt class is a solution based on the peripheral vertical launch system (PVLS), consisting of 20 four-cell ...Missing: transition | Show results with:transition
[68]
Navy Planning for December 2025 Hypersonic Missile Test off USS ...
Feb 1, 2023 · The Navy plans to perform a hypersonic missile test shot off guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) in December 2025, a service official said today.
[69]
USS Zumwalt Returns To The Water With A Hypersonic Missile ...
Dec 6, 2024 · Navy budget requests in recent years indicated that the sea services wants to fire hypersonics from Zumwalt by the end of 2025. TWZ has ...
[70]
Mk 57 Peripheral Vertical Launch System Market - Dataintelo
The development and deployment of advanced launch systems require substantial capital investment, sophisticated engineering capabilities, and rigorous ...
[71]
Does The Navy's New Constellation Class Frigate Have Enough ...
Jan 31, 2024 · ... Flight I and II Arleigh Burke class destroyers have 90 Mk 41 VLS cells. ... An anti-air suite optimized to engage air breathing threats with no ...
[72]
'Distributed Lethality' | Proceedings - January 2015 Vol. 141/1/1,343
Distributed lethality combines more powerful ships with innovative methods of employing them. It capitalizes on the inherent advantages of surface forces.
[73]
[PDF] Vertical Launch System Loadout Model - DTIC
VLS provides air warfare (AAW) defensive power through surface-to-air missiles (SAM) engaging anti-ship cruise missiles. (ASCM'S). VLS provides offensive ...
[74]
BAE Systems awarded $76 million contract for additional Vertical ...
May 4, 2021 · BAE Systems has been awarded a $76 million contract modification to produce additional Vertical Launch System (VLS) canisters for the US Navy.
[75]
Lockheed Martin Receives $67 Million Contract for MK 41 Vertical ...
The contract includes production of launchers for two Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis-equipped destroyers, as well as a major upgrade of five other ...Missing: 1970s | Show results with:1970s
[76]
Navy Demonstrates First At-sea Reloading of Vertical Launching ...
Oct 15, 2024 · MK 41 VLS provides rapid-fire missile launch capability for the U.S. Navy's destroyers, cruisers and future Constellation-class frigates. Del ...
[77]
Lockheed Martin Developing New, Larger VLS for DDG(X)
Apr 14, 2023 · The new VLS is called Growth-VLS (G-VLS), a completely new and separate VLS from Lockheed Martin's Mk.41 series of launchers. As this is a ...Missing: 57 | Show results with:57
[78]
First Mogami-class FFM fitted with Mk 41 VLS emerges in Japan
Apr 11, 2025 · Japan has begun installing the first Mk 41 VLS for a planned fleet of 12 Mogami-class multirole frigates for the JMSDF.
[79]
Mogami-Class Multirole Frigates, Japan - Naval Technology
Aug 19, 2021 · The new frigate will be armed with a BAE Systems' Mark 45 127mm naval gun system, 16-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS) for surface-to- ...
[80]
Sejong the Great class Guided Missile Destroyer DDG ROK Navy
At 8,500 tons standard displacement and 11,000 tons full load, the KDX-III Sejong the Great destroyers are by far the largest destroyers in the South Korean ...
[81]
HMAS Hobart (III) | Royal Australian Navy
Mk41 Vertical Launch System (48 VLS cells); RIM-66 standard 2 missiles · RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile; advanced Harpoon via 2 quad launchers. Guns: 5- ...
[82]
Hobart class Guided Missile Destroyer Royal Australian Navy
Each ship's main weapon is a 48-cell Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, capable of firing the SM-2 Block IIIB Standard anti-aircraft missile or the quad-packed ...
[83]
Japan's Futuristic Mogami Frigate Will Be Australia's Next Warship
Aug 4, 2025 · Australia is now set to operate a fleet of Mogami class frigates through a first-of-its kind defense export deal for post-World War II Japan. By ...
[84]
All Type 31 frigates will undergo mid-life upgrade to boost lethality
It was announced in 2023 that the frigates would integrate the Mk 41 VLS, despite the design being finalised and construction underway.
[85]
https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Republic-Korea-Navy/Destroyer/Sejong-the-Great-class.htm
[86]
Japan's MoD Reveals New Details on the improved Type 12 Missile
Jul 15, 2024 · Japan's current stand-off missile capability is mainly focused on the upgraded Type 12 SSM, which is the core of Japan's counterattack ability.Missing: Mark 41 VLS customizations
[87]
Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program - Congress.gov
Mar 28, 2025 · Allied countries that now operate, are building, or are planning to build Aegis-equipped ships include Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, and ...