Further, when new missiles are developed, they are typically fitted to the existing vertical launch systems of that nation, allowing existing ships to use new types of missiles without expensive rework. Typically, each cell can hold a number of different types of missiles, allowing the ship flexibility to load the best set for any given mission. Each vertical launch system consists of a number of cells, which can hold one or more missiles ready for firing. The system in question contained 48 cells for 5V55RM missiles A Tomahawk missile canister being offloaded from a VLS aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Curtis WilburĪ vertical launching system ( VLS) is an advanced system for holding and firing missiles on mobile naval platforms, such as surface ships and submarines. Navy commissioned the USS George Washington (SSBN-598) as its first ballistic missile submarine, making it the first VLS submarine in the world to use nuclear rather than diesel propulsion The Kara-class cruiser Azov was the first Soviet surface ship to be fitted with a VLS. The VLS cells on board USS San Jacinto In December 1959, the U.S. JSTOR ( January 2017) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: 'Vertical launching system' – news

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