Mark 41 is a hot-launch system that can carry Tomahawk cruise missiles, Standard surface-to-air missiles, ASROC, or quad-packed Sea Sparrow. A theoretical 96-cell load could therefore comprise 384 Sea Sparrows or 96 Tomahawks. The first concentrates the magazine on short-range air defence. The second supplies a large land-attack salvo while leaving a gap in missile defence against air attack. These examples illustrate launcher flexibility and the disadvantages of a load devoted to a single mission.
Notable Point · 15:19-16:21
Mark 41 loadouts trade striking power against air defence
Hypothetical all-Sea Sparrow and all-Tomahawk loads show how the same 96 cells can produce very different capabilities and mission gaps.