MK 41 Naval Vertical Missile Launch Systems

Interesting excerpt on the Mk41 VLS system.

MK 41 Naval Vertical Missile Launch Systems Delivered, Supported (updated)

Posted 03-Nov-2006 02:48

Defense Industry Daily

The naval MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) hides missiles below decks in vertical slots, with key electronics and venting systems built in. A deck and hatch assembly at the top of the module protects the missile canisters from the elements et. al. during storage, and the hatches open to permit missile launches of various types.

Lockheed Martin is the system's prime contractor, and BAE Systems Land & Armamaents also makes components and cannisters for the MK 41 system. This post will serve as a DID FOCUS article, and a collection point for related information and contracts. The latest addition involves a contract for ESSM missile canisters from the USA, Germany, and Spain.

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MK 41, loading

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The MK 41 VLS can hold a wide variety of missiles: anti-air and ballistic missile defense (Sea Sparrow, ESSM, Standard family), anti-submarine (VLASROC), land-attack (Tomahawk) and more. One simply drops different missile cannisters into the MK 41's common interface.

Lockheed notes that the MK 41 VLS is itself available in three different sizes to meet differing hull and mission requirements:

* The Strike length MK 41 is the largest system accommodating the widest variety of missiles.

* The Tactical length is over 7 feet shorter than the Strike length and can accommodate a variety of missiles up to approximately 18.5 feet in length.

* The Self-Defense Launcher (SDL) is specifically designed for ship self defense. SDL is shorter and lighter than the other variants. Its size and weight are designed to accomodate smaller ships like corvettes and frigates, as well as aircraft carriers with limited deck and hull space.

More than 11,000 MK 41 VLS missile cells have been delivered, or are on order, for 178 ships and 16 ship classes in 11 navies around the world. This system currently serves with the US Navy as well as the Australian, Canadian, Dutch, Japanese, German, New Zealand, Norwegian, South Korean, Spanish, and Turkish navies.

The MK 41's most recent Baseline VII upgrade was rolled out in 2004, upgrading the module's electronics. Its cell-based architecture, commercial off-the-shelf technologies, and open architecture help to improve life cycle maintenance and future upgradeability.

MK 41 VLS Contracts

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MK 41 line drawing

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Unless otherwise indicated, all contracts are issued by The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.

Nov 1/06: BAE Systems Land & Armaments, LP in Minneapolis, MN received $8.6 million fixed-price-plus-award-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-5454) for procurement of MK 25 MOD 0 canisters, packaging, handling, storage, and transportation equipment, reconfigurable coding plug assemblies and explosive bolts for Navy and NATO SeaSparrow Program Office (NSPO) foreign government requirements. MK 25 canisters for the MK 41 Vertical Launching System store, transport in safety, and enable loading of the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) into the MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems aboard Navy ships. This modification combines efforts for the US Navy (57%) and the Governments of Germany (32%) and Spain (11%) under the foreign military sales program. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, SD and is expected to be complete by December 2008.

Sept 15/06: BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP in Minneapolis, MN received a $15.6 million fixed-price, award-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-5454) for procurement of FY 2006 Mk. 13 MOD 0 Canisters for FY 2006 Navy and Foreign Military Sales, including packaging, handling, storage, and transportation equipment, and FY 2006 Reconfigurable Coding Plug Assemblies.

Mk 13 canisters for the MK 41 Vertical Launching System store, transport in safety, and enable loading of SM-2 Standard air defense missiles into the MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems aboard various US and foreign ships1. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, SD and is expected to be complete by January 2008. This modification supports requirements for the US Navy (16%); the Governments of Japan (30%) and South Korea (25%) under the Foreign Military Sales program; and the Governments of Germany (20%) and The Netherlands (9%) under a Memorandum of Understanding.