Mk 72 VLS
The Falltech Mk 72 VLS is a large, highly versatile Vertical Launch System designed and built in the Freethinker Commonwealth by Falltech, and placed on almost every major warship class built by the FDI Group for the Freethinker Royal Navy. Given the widespread sale of Freethinker warship designs and the versatility of the basic system, the Mk 72 VLS is found as a staple system in severalnavies around the world. It has multiple versions, and is noted for its large size and survivability.
The system is manufactured under license as the Icarus VLS by MAe in the Greater Kingdom.
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Program
The Mk 72 began life as the Heavy Capacity Surface Warfare Launcher, a large, bulky box launcher for the large GS-43 Serpent LAM and GS-44 Sea Serpent ASM then under development. This was given the provisional title of the Mk 44 Box Launcher.
The size of many Freestian weapon systems was dictated by a number of factors, including combat range and destructive potential, that lead to increasingly large, expensive and weight/space intensive ordinance. In turn, this required Freestian ships to increase their own size and structural strength to compensate and house these new weapons. Combined with the increasing number of roles these larger warships were required to udnertake,
Mod 0
The prototype versions of the system were little more than a vertically alligned Mk 44. Built for rugged survivability, the cellswere smaller than the later standard,
Mod 1
The Mod 1 version is the standard baseline system installed in Freestian and foreign warships. The basic system is comprised of a four-by-two cell block arranged in contiguous configurations to form a full VLS system.
Mod 2
Currently under basic testing and prototype trials, the latest version of the venerable Mk 72 is being heavily reconstructed with materials benefitting from recent advances in lightweight, super-strong alloys. The major aim of the project is to both reduce weight and improve protection and safety by employing new carbon alloys in large parts of the unit's construction in order to achieve both goals successfully.
Trials are currently underway aboard FRNS Castellion.
Submarine Launchers
A version
Current Versions
The current standard for new build systems in FDI (Group) warships and defensive structures is the Mod 1.1.3.
Strategic Length
Tactical Length
Submarine Launch System
Future Development
Furthur development of the system is considered unlikely in the enar future, as the VLS
| GWLS.35 | GWLS.58 | GWLS.60 | Mark 72 VLS | Mark 136 VLS | VERSYL | White Arrow |
