VLS

VLS. A Vertical Launching System is an advanced naval weapons platform for storing and firing guided missiles from a ship's deck. It represents a significant evolution from earlier trainable launchers like the Mk 13 and Mk 26, offering greater firepower, survivability, and tactical flexibility. These systems are now standard on modern warships from many navies, including the United States Navy, the People's Liberation Army Navy, and the Russian Navy.

Overview

The primary function of a VLS is to provide a rapid and flexible response to multiple threats, including aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and submarines. Unlike older systems, missiles are stored in individual, sealed canisters that are also their launch tubes, oriented vertically within the ship's hull or superstructure. This design allows for a very high rate of fire, known as a "ripple fire" capability, and a much larger magazine capacity compared to arm launchers. Key operational advantages include a 360-degree coverage without the need to train a launcher and enhanced survivability, as the armored cell design helps contain explosions. The integration of VLS was a cornerstone of the Aegis Combat System, first deployed on the Ticonderoga-class cruiser.

Technical Specifications

A typical VLS consists of an array of individual launch cells, each containing a missile in its canister. Common configurations include the Mk 41 and the Mk 57 used by the US Navy, and the SYLVER system developed by France for European navies. These cells are connected to a ship's combat system via a data network, receiving targeting information from sensors like the AN/SPY-1 radar. Missiles are cold-launched using a gas generator or hot-launched by igniting their own motor within the cell. Systems vary in cell size; the Mk 41 has multiple module lengths (Strike, Tactical) to accommodate different missiles like the SM-2, Tomahawk, and RIM-162 ESSM.

Applications

VLS-equipped ships form the backbone of modern naval task forces, providing area air defense, land attack, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers use their VLS to launch Standard Missile interceptors for fleet defense, while guided missile submarines have been converted to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles in similar launch tubes. Beyond the United States, vessels like the Type 45 destroyer of the Royal Navy, the Sejong the Great-class destroyer of the Republic of Korea Navy, and the Kolkata-class destroyer of the Indian Navy all rely on VLS for their primary armament. The system's flexibility allows for the mixing of missile types within a single array to meet diverse mission profiles.

Development and History

The development of VLS was driven by lessons from conflicts like the Falklands War, which highlighted the need for rapid engagement of saturation missile attacks. The Soviet Navy was an early pioneer, fielding the SA-N-6 system on Slava-class cruisers in the 1980s. The United States Navy's development culminated in the widespread adoption of the Mk 41 in the late 1980s aboard the Ticonderoga-class cruiser. This integration with the Aegis Combat System created a transformative naval air defense capability. Subsequent developments have focused on increasing modularity, safety, and the ability to fire larger next-generation missiles, such as those planned for the Zumwalt-class destroyer.

Variants and Related Systems

Numerous VLS designs exist globally, tailored to specific national requirements and missile families. The Mk 41 remains the most widely used Western system. Its successor, the Mk 57, features enhanced survivability and power cooling, and is installed on the Zumwalt-class destroyer. The French SYLVER system is used on the French and allied vessels like the FREMM multipurpose frigate to launch the Aster missile. Russia employs several systems, including the 3K95 Kinzhal for point defense and the larger UKSK system for anti-ship and land-attack missiles like the P-800 Oniks. China has developed indigenous systems such as the HHQ-9 launcher for its Type 052D destroyer.

Category:Naval weapon systems Category:Missile launch systems Category:Military electronics