Nichols Martin
Lockheed Martin has received a contract from BAE Systems to equip a vertical launching system on the U.K. navy’s upcoming Type 26 Global Combat Ship.
The MK 41 VLS is designed to launch a variety of missile types covering anti-air, anti-submarine and strike-length functionalities, Lockheed said Thursday.
For the contract’s initial order, three of the combat ships will each be provided with three VLS units containing eight cells.
The Type 26 is being designed as an anti-submarine warfare vessel, and is expected to serve as the U.K. navy’s replacement to the Type 23 frigates within the mid-2020s.
The MK 41 VLS has been equipped on almost 200 ships to date.
