Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:43:51-2:44:13

Will the AUKUS submarine carry VLS and which torpedo will it use?

Vertical launch is expected because Britain has shifted toward it for the next generation, while the torpedo selection remains open.

AUKUSNuclear Powered SubmarinesTorpedoesVertical Launch Systems
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Question

Will the AUKUS submarine have Virginia-style vertical launch cells, and which torpedo will it carry?

Short answer

It will probably have VLS, but the torpedo choice had not yet been decided.

Notes

The future AUKUS boat is expected to include vertical launch cells because the Royal Navy's next-generation submarine is moving beyond its earlier reluctance to use them. VLS would widen the boat's land-attack and other missile options without consuming torpedo-room capacity. The weapon fit is not otherwise settled. No final torpedo decision had yet been made.