Korean vertical launching system

The Korean vertical launching system (KVLS; ), or K-VLS is a hot-launch vertical launching system developed by South Korea to be deployed by the Republic of Korea Navy. It is used in the Sejong the Great-class destroyer, KSS-III submarine, and is scheduled to be added to the Daegu-class frigate. The K-VLS can deploy the Cheongung air defense missile (KM-SAM), Haegung air defense missile (K-SAAM), K745A1 Red Shark anti-submarine missile, Haeseong-II, Hyunmoo-3 land-attack cruise missiles and even SLBMs.

Three systems may be referred to as K-VLS.

• The "K-VLS" is comparable in size and role to the strike-length Mk 41 VLS. It comes in 8-cell modules sized at 3.165 m × 2.076 m × 7.7 m.
• The "K-VLS Compact" is specialized for the K-SAAM surface-to-air missile. It comes in modules of 4 cells, sized at 2.9 m × 2.6 m × 4.9 m (length-width-height). Its role can be compared to the Mk 48/56 VLS for RIM-162 ESSM.
• Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarines use a K-VLS that has a module size different from either version. Presumably this is a distinct variant comparable in role to the US Mk 45.

A newer version called KVLS-II was unveiled in 2021. It comes in modules of 4 cells, sized at 3.0 m × 2.4 m × 9.8 m (L-W-H). An upsized system with increased exhaust handling capacity, its role is comparable to the US Mk 57 VLS.

Ships using KVLS

See also

• GJB 5860-2006 - A vertical launching system of People's Liberation Army Navy
• Mark 41 Vertical Launching System - A vertical launching system of United States Navy.
• 3S-14 - A vertical launching system of Russian Navy for cruise, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.
• Sylver - A vertical launching system designed by DCNS.

References

External links