What 48 VLS cells provide under two-missile doctrine

The example assigns sixteen VLS cells to four short-range missiles each, such as ESSM or quad-packed CAMM, and thirty-two cells to one longer-range missile each. That produces 96 missiles in 48 cells. Assigning two interceptors per target gives 48 engagements against aircraft, large drones, incoming missiles or a mixture of them. Without rearming at sea, the ship must then return to port. The associated stockpile argument questions estimates of a day, two days or a week of combat supply because wartime forces may also fire at suspected contacts. Recent drone operations in the Red Sea are cited as already straining available forces. The recurring 48-cell figure is traced here to NFR-90 and an assumption that a conventional Cold War conflict would quickly become nuclear.