Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:59:53-4:00:28

Talos-sized missiles exceed the Mark 41 launcher's limits

A question about missiles the size of Talos explains the physical and thermal limits of the Mark 41 vertical launching system.

Hypersonic WeaponsMark 41 VLSMissilesShip DesignVertical Launch Systems
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Question

Will missiles the size of Talos ever be added to Mark 41 VLS?

Short answer

No. They require a larger launcher with greater thermal capacity, even if some Mark 41 control concepts are retained.

Notes

A missile too large for a Mark 41 cell cannot be added through software or control-system changes. A new launcher must provide the necessary cell volume and handle the greater heat associated with the weapon, as seen in work on larger hypersonic missiles. Designers may reuse Mark 41 concepts or parts of its control architecture, but the ship still needs a physically different launch installation. The likely path is a separate larger VLS built around the new missile.