View source for Mark 41 vertical launching system

{{infobox weapon
| name               = Mk 41 vertical launching system
| image              = [[File:Te Kaha's Anti-Air Missile Armament.jpg|border|300px]]
| caption            = A single 8-cell Mk 41 VLS module fitted to New Zealand frigate {{HMNZS|Te Kaha|F77|6}}
| origin             = United States
| type               = Missile launching system
| is_ranged          = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1986–present <!--USS Bunker Hill Commissioning to present-->
| used_by            = [[United States Navy]]<br />[[Royal Navy]]
| wars               = [[Cold War]]<br />[[Iran–Iraq War#Attacks on shipping|Tanker War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[Kosovo War]]<br />[[War on Terror]]<br />[[Red Sea crisis]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = 
| design_date        = 1970s
| manufacturer       = [[Martin Marietta]]<br />[[Lockheed Martin]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
| variants           = Mk 57<br />[[Mk 70 Mod 1]]
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label         = 
| weight             = 
| length             = 
| part_length        = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 
| passengers         = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = 
| barrels            = 
| action             = 
| rate               = 
| feed               = 
}}

The '''Mark 41 vertical launching system''' ('''Mk 41 VLS''') is a shipborne missile canister launching system which provides a rapid-fire launch capability against hostile threats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/mk-41-vls.htm |title=Mark 41 Vertical Launching System |access-date=21 September 2011}}</ref> The [[vertical launching system]] (VLS) concept was derived from work on the [[Aegis Combat System]].<ref name=Friedman>{{cite book |last=Friedman |first=Norman |title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, MD |date=2006 |edition=5th |page=600}}</ref>

==History==
Refinement of the initial concept of Aegis system in the 1960s continued through the 1960s and 1970s, and the Mk 41 was conceived in 1976.<ref name=Friedman/> Originally, the system was only intended to fire the [[RIM-66 Standard]] missile, but the height of the Mk 41 was increased to accommodate the larger [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] missile.<ref name=Friedman/> The prototype for the launcher was tested and evaluated on board {{USS|Norton Sound|AVM-1|6}}. The first operational launcher was installed aboard {{USS|Bunker Hill|CG-52|6}}.<ref name=Friedman/>

===Combat history===

On 12 October 2016, {{USS|Mason|DDG-87}} was targeted by missiles fired from Yemeni territory while operating in the [[Bab-el-Mandeb]] strait.<ref name="2nd attack">{{Cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2016/10/12/pentagon-respond-appropriate-manner-new-missile-attack-uss-mason-yemen|title=Pentagon Pledges to Respond in 'Appropriate Manner' After New Yemen Missile Attack on USS Mason|last=LaGrone|first=Sam|date=12 October 2016|website=USNI News|publisher=U.S. Naval Institute|access-date=12 October 2016}}</ref> ''Mason'' was not hit by the two missiles, which were fired from near the city of [[Al Hudaydah]].<ref name="2nd attack" /> While the Navy is not certain whether the first incoming missile was intercepted or it just fell into the sea, officials claim ''Mason'' successfully intercepted the second missile at a distance of about {{convert|8|mi}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/aegis-defense-system-helped-stop-missile-attack-on-uss-mason-1.433974|title=Aegis defense system helped stop missile attack on USS Mason|last=Copp|first=Tara|publisher=Stars and Stripes|date=13 October 2016|access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> marking the first time in history a warship destroyed an inbound anti-ship missile with a SAM in actual self-defense and the first time the Mk41 VLS did so.

==Specifications==

===Mark 41 (Mk 41)===
The Mk 41 is capable of firing the following missiles:<ref>{{cite web |title=Exclusive: New Details on the Kongsberg Vertical Launch Joint Strike Missile (VL JSM) |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/focus-analysis/naval-technology/2328-exclusive-new-details-on-the-kongsberg-vertical-launch-joint-strike-missile-vl-jsm.html |website=Navy Reckognition |date=14 January 2015 |access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=Friedman/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lockheed Martin Successfully Launches First LRASM Boosted Test Vehicle From MK 41 VLS |url=https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2013-news/september-2013-navy-world-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-news/1247--lockheed-martin-successfully-launches-first-lrasm-boosted-test-vehicle-from-mk-41-vls.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Navy Recognition |date=18 September 2013 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Host Extensible Launching System |url=https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/rms/documents/naval-launchers-and-munitions/VLS_Host_ExLS_Launcher_Product_Card_8.5x11_042419.pdf |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=Lockheed Martin}}</ref>

==== Surface-to-air ====
* [[RIM-66 Standard]]
* [[RIM-156 Standard]]
* [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3]]
* [[RIM-174 Standard ERAM]]
* [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow]]
* [[RIM-162 ESSM]]
* [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM (CAMM, CAMM-ER, CAMM-MR)]]
* [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile|RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (Block 2)]]

==== Surface-to-surface ====
* [[Tomahawk (missile family)|RGM-109 Tomahawk]]
* [[Joint Strike Missile]] 
* [[AGM-179 JAGM|RGM-179 JAGM]] 
* [[AGM-158C LRASM|LRASM (BTV)]] with a Mk-114 booster rocket

==== Anti-submarine ====
* [[RUM-139 VL-ASROC]]



The missiles are pre-loaded into "canisters", which are then loaded into the individual "cells" of the launcher. The [[RIM-162 ESSM|ESSM]] is loaded in a quad-pack with 4 missiles in one Mk 25 canister, older types of 8 cell modules are not able to use [[RIM-162 ESSM|ESSM]].<ref name="Friedman" /><ref name="NAVEDTRA14324" /> [[Lockheed Martin]] has developed the Host Extensible Launching System (ExLS), an adapter for Mark 41 and Mark 57 vertical launching systems that was designed to allow for easier integration of new or existing weapon systems such as [[Nulka]], [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile|RAM Block 2]], [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM]] and [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM-ER]], and the [[AGM-179 JAGM|Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM)]] in a quad-packed configuration.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allison |first=George |date=2018-04-17 |title=CAMM completes qualification trials from Lockheed Martin launcher |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/camm-completes-qualification-trials-from-lockheed-martin-launcher-2/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CAMM {{!}} FORCE PROTECTION, Ground Based Air Defence |url=https://www.mbda-systems.com/product/camm/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=MBDA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-05 |title=Common Anti Air Missile (CAMM) - Think Defence |url=https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2022/11/common-anti-air-modular-missile-camm/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=www.thinkdefence.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> Some munitions under development such as [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM-MR]] are planned to be dual-packed (likely with ExLS) with two missiles sharing a single canister enabling larger and longer range munitions to be carried in greater quantity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK, Poland To Advance Development Of Longer Range Air Defense Missile {{!}} Aviation Week Network |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/uk-poland-advance-development-longer-range-air-defense |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=aviationweek.com}}</ref>

Launcher cells are fitted to ships in 8 cell modules (2 rows of 4) that share a common uptake hatch (exhaust system) sited between the two rows.<ref name="Friedman" /> The Mk 41 VLS adopts modular design concept, which result in different versions that vary in size and weight due to different "canisters" in various modules. The height (determining missile length) of the launcher comes in three sizes: {{convert|209|in|m}} for the self-defense version, {{convert|266|in|m|abbr=on}} for the tactical version, and {{convert|303|in|m}} for the strike version. The empty weight for an 8-cell module is {{convert|26800|lbs|t}} for the self-defense version, {{convert|29800|lbs|t}} for the tactical version, and {{convert|32000|lbs|t}} for the strike version.<ref name="Friedman" /> [[Ticonderoga-class cruiser|''Ticonderoga'']] cruisers and [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|''Arleigh Burke'']] destroyers up to DDG-78 have a Strikedown module fore and aft, which consists of five cells and a collapsible crane for assisting with [[replenishment at sea]]. As replenishment of large missiles at sea was later seen as impractical and dangerous, Strikedown modules fell out of use on newer ships.<ref name="Friedman" />

===Mark 56 (Mk 56) VLS and Mark 57 (Mk 57) PVLS===
[[File:Mk 57.png|thumb|right|Mk 57 VLS]]

The Mk 56 VLS is an evolution of the tactical length Mk 41 VLS which is a smaller version of the strike length Mk 41 used on {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer}}s.

The Mk 57 Peripheral Vertical Launch System (PVLS) used on the {{sclass|Zumwalt|destroyer}}s is composed of much larger VLS cells capable of venting much larger volume and mass of exhaust gasses (mass flow rate), but is an evolution of the smaller unarmored Mk 56 VLS. The Mk 57 PVLS are designed to be installed on the ship periphery with armor on the inboard boundary, instead of in centralized magazines used in the Mk 41.

Developed by [[Raytheon]], Mk 57 provides [[backward compatibility]] with existing missiles while allowing new missiles with significantly increased propulsion and payloads.  While allowing for larger missiles than the Mk 41, the primary improvement of Mk 57 is its exhaust gas management system which can accommodate new missile designs having up to 45 percent greater rocket motor mass flow rate than that of Mk 41.<ref>[http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/rids/products/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/content/rtn_bus_ids_prod_mk57_pdf.pdf Mk 57]</ref> The unique symmetric geometry of the U-shaped gas management system facilitates the egress of gases, while minimizing flow into adjacent cells and reversed flow into the active cell. Another advantage is the elimination of the water deluge system, which is used to cool the missile canister in the event that the missile restraint bolts do not release after rocket motor ignition.  Elimination of the water deluge system significantly reduces maintenance and personnel requirements, and protects against accidental missile wet-down.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Vertical Missile Launcher Mk 57 GMVLS specifications<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Weapons/Mk57_VLS.pdf|title = MK 57 Vertical Launching System Zumwalt Class Destroyer Program}}</ref>
! Missiles
| 4 cells
|-
! Width 
| {{convert|7.25|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|-
! Length
| {{convert|14.2|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|-
! Height
| {{convert|26|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|-
! Weight 
| {{convert|33,600|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|-
! Maximum canister width
| {{convert|28|in|m|abbr=on}}
|-
! Maximum canister length
|{{convert| 283|in|m|abbr=on}}
|-
! Maximum canistered weight 
|{{convert |9,020|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|}

==Variants==
[[File:USS Chosin (CG-65) Mark 41 Vertical Launching System.jpg|thumb|Mark 41 Mod 0 vertical launching system on {{USS|Chosin}}]]

*MK 41 Mod 0, {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|1}}s, two 61 cell Vertical Launcher Mk 158 Mod 0 or Mod 1, forward and aft.<ref name="NAVEDTRA14324">NAVEDTRA 14324, Gunner's Mate, Chapter 7.</ref>
*MK 41 Mod 1, {{sclass|Spruance|destroyer|1}}s, 61 cells forward.<ref name="NAVEDTRA14324"/>
*MK 41 Mod 2, {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}s, DDG-51 to DDG-78, one 29 cell Vertical Launcher Mk 159 Mod 0 forward, one 61 cell Vertical Launcher Mk 158 Mod 0 aft.<ref name="NAVEDTRA14324"/>
*MK 41 Mod unknown, [[Constellation-class frigate]]s, 32 cells.
*MK 41 Mod unknown, [[Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate]]s (Spain), 48 cells.
*MK 41 Mod unknown, Deveselu Military Base
*MK 41 Mod 3, {{sclass|Brandenburg|frigate|1}}s (Germany), 16 cells.
*MK 41 Mod 5, {{sclass|Anzac|frigate|1}}s (Australia, New Zealand), 8 cells
*MK 41 Mod 7, ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyers, DDG-79 to DDG-91, one 32 cell Vertical Launcher Mk 177 Mod 0 forward, one 64 cell Vertical Launcher Mk 176 Mod 0 aft.<ref name="NAVEDTRA14324"/><ref name=GMLS>{{cite web |url=http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Weapons/US_GMLS.htm |title=U.S. Navy Guided Missile Launcher Systems |access-date=2014-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725195323/http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Weapons/US_GMLS.htm |archive-date=2022-07-25 |url-status=dead <!-- alternatewars.com is being migrated to https://www.generalstaff.org/ At some point in the future it may be possible to update the url and set the status to live. -->}}</ref>
*MK 41 Mod 8, {{sclass|Barbaros|frigate|1}}s (Turkey), 8 or 16 cells
*MK 41 Mod 9, {{sclass|De Zeven Provinciën|frigate|1}}s (Netherlands), 40 cells 
*MK 41 Mod 10, {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate|1}}s (Germany), 32 cells
*MK 41 Mod 15, ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyers, DDG-92 and up, one 32 cell Vertical Launcher Mk 177 Mod 3 forward, one 64 cell Vertical Launcher Mk 176 Mod 2 aft.<ref name="NAVEDTRA14324"/><ref name="GMLS"/>
*MK 41 Mod 16, {{sclass|Adelaide|frigate|1}}s (Australia), 8 cells
*[[MK 70 Mod 1]], [[containerized]] four-cell launcher
*Long-Range Missile (LMSL) Battery, [[containerized]] single cell launcher on a US Marine Corps ROGUE- Fires JLTV vehicle<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/usmc-systems-command-provides-details-on-long-range-missile-battery/ | title=USMC Systems Command Provides Details on Long-Range Missile Battery | date=14 August 2023 }}</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:US Navy 090825-N-1522S-020 A Tactical Tomahawk Cruise Missile launches from the forward missile deck aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) during a training exercise.jpg|thumb|A [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk]] missile being launched from the Mark 41 vertical launching system aboard the US Navy {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}} {{USS|Farragut|DDG-99|6}}]]
;{{AUS}}
* ''Adelaide''-class frigate - (8 cells) (Retired)
*''Anzac''-class frigate - (8 cells)
* {{sclass|Hobart|destroyer|1}} - (48 cells)
* {{sclass|Hunter|frigate|1}} - (32 cells)

;{{CAN}}
* {{sclass|Iroquois|destroyer|1}} - (29 cells) (Retired)
* [[Canadian Surface Combatant|River-class destroyer]] - (24 cells)

;{{CHI}}
* ''{{sclass|Adelaide|frigate|1}}'' - (8 cells)

;{{DEN}}
* {{sclass|Iver Huitfeldt|frigate|1}} - (32 cells)

;{{FIN}}
* {{sclass|Pohjanmaa|corvette|1}} - (8 or 16 cells)

;{{flag|Germany}}
* ''[[Sachsen-class frigate|Sachsen]]''-class frigate - (32 cells)
* ''[[Brandenburg-class frigate|Brandenburg]]''-class frigate - (16 cells)
* [[F126 frigate|F126]] frigate (16 cells)

;{{flag|Japan}}
* {{sclass|Maya|destroyer|1}} - (96 cells)
* {{sclass|Atago|destroyer|1}} - (96 cells)
* {{sclass|Kongō|destroyer|1}} - (90 cells)
* {{sclass|Hyūga|helicopter destroyer|1}} - (16 cells)
* {{sclass|Murasame|destroyer|1||1994}} - (16 cells)
* {{sclass|Takanami|destroyer|1}} - (32 cells)
* {{sclass|Akizuki|destroyer|1||2010}} - (32 cells)
* {{sclass|Asahi|destroyer|1}} - (32 cells)
* {{sclass|Mogami|frigate|1}} - (16 cells)
* {{JS|Asuka||2}} - (8 cells)

;{{NED}}
* ''[[De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate|De Zeven Provinciën]]''-class frigate - (40 cells)

;{{NOR}}
* {{sclass|Fridtjof Nansen|frigate|1}} - (8 or 16 cells)

;{{flag|South Korea}}
* {{sclass|Chungmugong Yi Sun-shin|destroyer|1}} (KDX-II) - (32 cells)
* {{sclass|Sejong the Great|destroyer|1}} (KDX-III) - (80 cells)

;{{flag|Spain}}
* {{sclass|Álvaro de Bazán|frigate|1}} - (48 cells)
* [[F110-class frigate]] - (16 cells)

;{{TWN}}
* [[USS Dukes County (LST-735)|''Kaohsiung''-class tank landing ship]] - (Test ship)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Everington |first1=Keoni |title=Mysterious radar ship spotted off coast of S. Taiwan |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3821019 |website=www.taiwannews.com.tw |date=20 November 2019 |publisher=Taiwan News |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>

;{{THA}}
* [[HTMS Naresuan|''Naresuan''-class frigate]] - (8 cells)
* [[HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej|''Bhumibol Adulyadej''-class frigate]] - (8 cells)

;{{TUR}}
* {{sclass2|G|frigate|1}} - (8 cells)
* ''Barbaros''-class frigate - (16 cells)

;{{UK}}
*[[Type 26 frigate]] - (24 cells)
*[[Type 31 frigate]] - (32 cells)

;{{flag|United States}}
* ''Spruance''-class destroyer - (61 cells, installed on 24 of 31 vessels) (Retired)
* ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer - (90 or 96 cells)
* ''Ticonderoga''-class cruiser - (122 cells)
* {{sclass|Zumwalt|destroyer|1}} - (80 Mk 57 cells) 
* [[Constellation-class frigate|''Constellation''-class frigate]] - (32 Mk 41 cells) 
* [[DDG(X)]] class [[destroyer]] - (At minimum up to 128 cells (4x32 module configuration), dependent on number of hypersonic missiles carried as per current US Navy design proposal)

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:US Navy 030303-N-3235P-503 A topside view of the forward MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) aboard the guided missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56).jpg|The VLS cells onboard {{USS|San Jacinto|CG-56|6}}.
File:US Navy 050110-N-9851B-056 Sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) stabilize a crate containing a Tomahawk cruise missile.jpg|A [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk missile]] canister being loaded into a VLS aboard the ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer {{USS|Curtis Wilbur|DDG-54|6}}
File:US Navy 050903-N-1332Y-146 A Sailor aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) inspect the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for water to prevent electrical failure.jpg|VLS cells open for inspection aboard {{USS|Fitzgerald|DDG-62|6}}
File:US Navy 021121-N-0000X-005 A developmental Standard Missile-3 (SM-3), designed to intercept short to medium-ranged ballistic missile threats, is launched from the Pearl Harbor-based Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70).jpg|An SM3 departs the Mk 41 VLS aboard {{USS|Lake Erie|CG-70|6}} with uptake hatch and cell hatch open.
File:110909-N-XQ375-035 USS Mitscher VLS Strikedown Crane folded.jpg|VLS Strikedown crane folded, aboard {{USS|Mitscher|DDG-57|6}}
File:020805-N-XP218-008 USS Hopper VLS Strikedown Crane.jpg|VLS Strikedown crane extended, aboard {{USS|Hopper|DDG-70|6}}
File:MK 41 VLS Diagram.jpg|Diagram of a Mk 41 Mod 0 VLS.
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[GJB 5860-2006]] – A vertical launching system of [[People's Liberation Army Navy]]
* [[Korean Vertical Launching System|K-VLS]] – A vertical launching system of [[Republic of Korea Navy]]
* [[Poliment–Redut vertical launching system]] – A vertical launching system of [[Russian Navy]], navalized version of [[S-350 missile system|S-350]]
* [[3S-14]] – A vertical launching system of [[Russian Navy]] for [[cruise missile|cruise]], [[anti-ship missile|anti-ship]] and [[anti-submarine missile|anti-submarine]] missiles
* [[Sylver Vertical Launching System|Sylver]] – A vertical launching system designed by [[Naval Group|DCNS]]
* [[Typhon missile launcher]] – A vertical launching ground system

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Mark 41 Vertical Launching System}}
*[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/mk-41-vls.htm FAS - Mk 41]
*[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/ms2/documents/launchers/MK41_VLS_factsheet.pdf Lockheed Martin - Mk 41 VLS Factsheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100553/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/ms2/documents/launchers/MK41_VLS_factsheet.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }}

[[Category:Naval guided missile launch systems of the United States]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Vertical launch systems]]