An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MK 41 - VLS

Last updated: 20 Sep 2021

Description
The MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) is installed aboard United States Navy (USN) surface combatants including Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruisers (CG 47), Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG 51) and multiple allied Navy platforms. MK 41 VLS is capable of launching multiple Standard Missile variants, Tomahawk, Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) and Evolved SEA SPARROW missiles.
 
Features
Multiple Warfighting Mission Areas:
Anti-Air Warfare (AAW)
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)
Land Attack/Strike

Platforms:
DDG 51 class (DDG 51-127)
CG 47 class (CG 52-73)
Eleven Allied Nations
 
Background
MK 41 has been in U.S. Navy service since 1986 with the commissioning of USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and since that time, a total of 184 systems have been acquired in support of USN CG 47, DDG 51 and DD 963 (now decommissioned) Class ships. In addition, 54 systems have been acquired for allied navies to date. MK 41 VLS has successfully launched over 4,200 missiles with approximately a 99 percent launch success rate since program inception and played a critical role in many operational missions including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and operation Odyssey Dawn.
 
 

Point of Contact
Naval Sea Systems Command
Office of Corporate Communication

Washington, D.C. 20376

(202) 781-4123

 

Google Translation Disclaimer

Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon