// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
VLS
VLS stands for Vertical Launch System, which is a type of missile launching system used on warships. It allows different kinds of missiles to be stored in individual tubes and fired straight up, providing quick and flexible deployment.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A Vertical Launch System (VLS) is a sophisticated, modular missile launching system integrated into naval surface combatants and submarines, enabling the rapid, sequential, or salvo firing of diverse missile types, including anti-air, anti-ship, and land-attack munitions, from vertically-oriented individual cells to enhance combat flexibility and weapon loadout density.
BACKGROUND
The Mark 41 vertical launching system is a shipborne missile canister launching system which provides a rapid-fire launch capability against hostile threats. The vertical launching system (VLS) concept was derived from work on the Aegis Combat System.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Vertical Launch System
- Missile silo
- VLS launcher
- Vertical cell launcher
USAGE NOTE
VLS is a critical component of modern naval combatants, allowing for multi-mission capabilities from a common launching platform.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to VLS.
A global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company heavily involved in naval systems, including the development and production of the widely used Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS).
A major defense contractor that develops and produces many of the advanced missile systems (e.g., Standard Missile family, Tomahawk cruise missiles) that are launched from Vertical Launch Systems.
A multinational defense, security, and aerospace company involved in the design, manufacturing, and integration of naval vessels and combat systems that incorporate Vertical Launch Systems.
A global aerospace and defense technology company that provides various systems and components for naval vessels and missile defense, including elements related to VLS integration and missile technology.
The largest of the U.S. Navy's five system commands, responsible for the engineering, building, buying, and maintaining of the Navy's ships, submarines, and their combat systems, which includes Vertical Launch Systems.
A leading European missile and missile systems developer, producing a range of advanced missiles (e.g., CAMM, Aster) designed for vertical launch from naval platforms across numerous navies.
A Norwegian defense company that develops and manufactures advanced defense and aerospace products, including missile systems like the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) which can be integrated into VLS configurations.