Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Air Dominance Department Weapons Systems Integration Technician (left) Julius Jose and Weapons Systems Integration Engineer (right) Torrence Pineau-Brown inspect a MK-41 Vertical Launching System sill assembly before loading to test proposed safety and identification improvements for the fleet. Nov. 2016. Credit: DVIDS.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) issued two contracts to provide components for MK41 vertical launching systems (VLS).

The original equipment manufacturer of the system, Lockheed Martin, won the first contract on 23 May for $194.7m. The company will provide modules and ancillary hardware components. The parts will be used by the US Navy, Canada and Australia. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $642m.  

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

BAE Systems won the second contract for $16.3m on 24 May. The company will provide canister production and ancillary hardware for the US Navy.

The MK41 VLS is a shipborne missile launcher. The system offers an open, distributed architecture that can integrate future technologies. The weapon control interface and the mechanical and electrical interface allows the system to support any missile in any cell.

The missiles currently integrated with the system include: Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Tomahawk Cruise Missile, Standard Missile 2, Standard Missile 3, Standard Missile 6 and Vertical Launch ASROC .

See Also:

Picturered are missiles that can currently integrate with the MK41 VLS. Credit: Lockheed Martin.

The MK41 is also the only launching system that can simultaneously communicate with weapon control systems and missiles. Including: anti-aircraft, anti-surface, anti-submarine, ballistic missile defence and land attack. The system accepts any missile into any cell – a capability that provides unparalleled flexibility.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

As the security crises in the Indo-Pacific intensifies, the foreign military sales agreement with Australia indicates the need for an integrated response to the threat of China.