Q&A · 2:42:19-2:43:56

Missile capacity for a proposed large warship

A hypothetical warship's missile load is increased from thirty-two to about eighty cells, with Type 45 used as a contemporary comparison.

Question

Would thirty-two vertical-launch cells be enough for the proposed successor warship?

Short answer

The preferred capacity is substantially larger, with about eighty cells proposed as two banks of forty.

Notes

A suggested successor design has two twin 4.5-inch gun mountings and thirty-two vertical-launch cells. That missile capacity is judged too small for the intended scale of ship, using fifth-rate and third-rate ships as an analogy. The preferred figure settles around eighty cells arranged in two banks of forty. A contemporary Type 45 comparison gives forty-eight Sylver cells and claimed space for twenty-four additional Mark 41 cells, distinguishing installed launchers from proposed expansion.