Why at-sea VLS reloading needs ship-integrated handling gear

Should a heavily armed cruiser revive the swing-arm missile launcher?

It could add reloadable capacity, but future designs may instead build in the handling systems needed to replenish VLS cells at sea.

A swing-arm launcher could provide a reloadable missile system alongside VLS. Future ships may need framing and rails built into the ship to bring replacement canisters aboard and handle them over the launch cells. This is presented as an expectation about developing arrangements. Handling the empty canisters is another part of replenishment. They could be passed back to the supply ship when time permits, although urgent reloading might require discarding some over the side. The comparison with recovering spent gun brass explains why recycling can give way to immediate operational needs.