Missile replenishment brings handling problems beyond those involved in pumping fuel. A missile's ability to withstand high acceleration in flight does not mean it can safely strike a ship's side during transfer. Waves and ship movement make that handling more difficult. Reloading a vertical launch system also requires removal of the spent launch container and insertion of its replacement.
Notable Point · 5:01-5:35
Why missile reloading presents different problems from refuelling
A comparison with vertical launch systems explains why fuel transfer and ammunition replenishment impose different handling demands.