Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:57:09-2:57:40

Why peripheral Mark 57 VLS cells are not normally reloaded at sea

A VLS question turns on the heavy handling equipment and safe working space needed to move missile canisters aboard ship.

Live Q&AMark 57 VLSMissilesModern NavyNaval LogisticsReplenishment At SeaVertical Launch Systems
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Question

Can a crew reload peripheral Mark 57 vertical-launch cells at sea?

Short answer

Not in their normal configuration; a specially carried crane with near carrier-level handling capacity might make it possible, but the ship is not arranged for routine underway reloads.

Notes

The cells may be accessible around the deck edge, but access alone does not create a reload capability. The ship would need a crane able to control heavy missile canisters safely in a moving seaway and enough space to stage the operation. Without that logistics system, Mark 57 remains a magazine loaded in port rather than an at-sea replenishment point.