Mk 41 offers a plausible upgrade path because many Western navies use it and a broad set of systems is designed around it. That commonality does not make the choice neutral or inexpensive. A navy may want missiles outside the established launcher ecosystem, while the launcher itself carries a substantial cost. Proprietary information and dependence on defence companies can also restrict what can be integrated. Standardisation therefore exchanges some technical uncertainty for commercial and compatibility dependencies.
Notable Point · 26:28-27:37
A common launcher creates options and dependencies
Use Mk 41 to see how a widely adopted launch system can open an upgrade ecosystem while introducing cost, missile-choice, and supplier constraints.