Eglin Air Force Base in Florida successfully tested a new modular ExLS installation for vertical launch of weapons.
The unique system is a set of structures for the installation of any missile weapon on ships, such as Nulka, RAM 2, SM-2 anti-aircraft missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles or VL-ASROC anti-submarine missiles.
The ExLS launcher consists of lightweight composite structures with latches and latches compatible with the standard MK 41 and MK 57 missile silos found on virtually every US Navy warship. The selected type of missiles is combined with a special module and loaded into a standard silo, after which, using special software, the missile is connected to the ship's combat control system.
A simple modular architecture will significantly expand the capabilities of the existing fleet and allow the construction of ships without add-ons, communications and architectural elements specialized for specific weapons. The existing division of ships into classes (depending on the tasks performed) is too expensive even for the United States. The new modular ExLS system will allow you to quickly change the composition of weapons and turn, for example, a strike ship with Tomahawk missiles into an air defense vessel with SM-2 missiles or a submarine hunter with VL-ASROC.
