Older swing-arm missile systems drew from magazines that could receive replenished weapons. Vertical launchers require the spent canister to be removed and a replacement inserted, making replenishment at sea more difficult. A carrier's aviation magazines can receive air-to-air and anti-surface missiles at sea. Aircraft can therefore sustain outer air defence and strike missions while reducing demand on the escorts' fixed VLS loads. This helps a group operate farther out and longer before returning for pier-side missile loading.
Notable Point · 1:10:36-1:12:36
Carrier magazines ease the burden on fixed VLS loads
Replenishable aviation weapons can extend task-group endurance while destroyer launch cells remain difficult to reload at sea.