Mk 26 GMLS
History
The Mk 26 GMLS was fitted on board the Virginia class cruisers, Kidd class destroyers and Ticonderoga class cruisers. It was developed to replace the Mk 4 AWHS 1 on 1 in modernisation plans of the Spruance class destroyers. The Mk 26 had an relatively short time that it was installed on warships, as it was quicly replaced by the Mk 41 VLS
The Mk 26 could fire RUR-5 ASROC, RIM-66 Standard MR and RGM-84 Harpoon missiles. The magazine had an capacity of 24 missiles in the mod 0 and 3 installations, 44 in the mod 1,4 and 5 installations and 64 in the mod 2 installation. The magazine was build up from 2 independent rotary ready service rings (RSR), which could be lengthened into sections of 10 missiles (5 on each side) to create the larger magazines of the Mod 1,2,4 and 5. Each launcher arm was fed by one RSR. Missiles could be swapped between the ring and loaded/unloaded by the strikedown system at the back of the Mk 26 magazine. 2 plenum vents, in the aft corners of the magazine, led away gases and heat in case of an malfunctioning missile in the magazine.
The Mod 2 installation was never operationally installed but was proposed for DG/AEGIS and the various strike cruiser proposals. Mod 0 and 1 were fitted on the Virginia class, Mod 3 and 4 were installed on the Kidd class and mod 5 on the Ticonderoga class. Mod 3 and 4 were originally designated as Mod 0 and 1, however they had various engineering changes which reduced system cost and weight, and improved reliability, requiring an new designation. Mod 5 had further changes, adapting it to accommodate increased functionality for use with the AEGIS system.
Used on
- Kidd class
- Ticonderoga class
- CGN-9 AEGIS conversion proposal
- CSGN Mk 2
- CSGN
- CSGN
- CSGN
- CGN-42
- DG/AEGIS (proposed)
- DG/AEGIS (proposed)
- DG/AEGIS (proposed)
Affiliated systems
Part description
The drawing has the below deck installation drawn in, which requires covering for use on a finished Shipbucket drawing. Approximate deck levels around the launcher are drawn in red. The actual cross section of the magazine in top view is drawn in red. The missiles on the part drawing are oversized for detail.
