Lockheed’s MK 41 VLS for Type 26
Lockheed Martin has received a contract from BAE Systems to equip the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship with the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), the company announced on 1 March.
The MK 41 VLS system is capable of launching anti-air, anti-submarine, surface-to-surface and strike-length missiles. Each Type 26 will be equipped with three eight-cell MK 41 VLS modules. The company’s initial order includes nine MK 41 VLS modules, sufficient for the first three ships of the class.
The new Type 26 Global Combat Ships are replacing the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates. The ships will be deployed for a range of missions from high intensity warfare to humanitarian assistance, either operating independently or as part of a task group.
The first Type 26 is due to enter service with the Royal Navy in the mid-2020s.
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