Mk 13 missile launcher

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Standard missile on the rail of a Mk 13 launcher aboard the FS Cassard.

The Mk-13 guided missile launching system (GMLS) is a single-arm missile launcher designed for use on frigates and other military vessels.

The Mark 13 is equipped to fire the SM-1 Standard, RGM-84 Harpoon, and RIM-24 Tartar missiles for anti-air and anti-ship defense, and is capable of firing the Standard at a rate of one every eight seconds.^[1] Its 40-round magazine consists of two concentric rings of vertically-stored missiles, 24 in the outer ring and 16 in the inner.

In case of a fire, the system is equipped with magazine sprinkling, CO2 suppression and booster suppression. Fire control for the Mk 13 missile system is provided by the Mk92 fire control system. The Mk 13 is also capable of launching the and SM-1 Standard missiles. The system is found on Perry-class frigates (and their derivatives) and Cassard-class frigates. It was also fitted to German Lütjens class destroyer and Australian Perth class destroyers.

Because of its distinctive single-armed design, the Mk 13 is often referred to as the "one-armed bandit."

The Mk-22 guided missile launching system (GMLS) is a variation of the Mk-13 launcher which has only the inner storage ring of the Mk-13 launcher. .^[2]

[edit] References

^ United Defense (March 29 1998). mk13-gmls.pdf. Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network. Retrieved on April 15, 2007.
^ United Defense (March 29 1998). mk13-gmls.pdf. Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network. Retrieved on April 15, 2007.