Mark 13 missile launcher

Mark 13 Guided Missile Launching System
A RIM-66 Standard missile mounted on the Mark 13 missile launcher aboard the French Navy frigate Cassard
TypeGuided Missile Launching System
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In servicelate 1960s to present
Used byUnited States Navy
Spanish Navy
Royal Australian Navy
French Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
German Navy
Italian Navy
Polish Navy
Pakistan Navy
Turkish Navy
WarsCold War
Tanker War
Production history
Designed1960s
ManufacturerFMC / United Defense / BAE
VariantsMark 22
Specifications
Rate of fire1 Standard missile every 8 seconds
1 Harpoon missile every 22 seconds[1]

The Mark 13 guided missile launching system (GMLS) is a single-arm missile launcher designed for use on frigates and other military vessels. Because of its distinctive single-armed design, the Mark 13 is often referred to as the "one-armed bandit".

The Mark 13 is equipped to fire the RIM-66 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.[2] Its 40-round magazine consists of two concentric rings of vertically stored missiles, 24 in the outer ring and 16 in the inner. Total capacity was reduced by 1 due to a requirement to carry a Guided Missile Training Round (GMTR) in order to test system functionality. In case of a fire, the system is equipped with magazine sprinkling, CO2 suppression and booster suppression. It is also equipped with a dud jettison function to eject a round overboard if it fails to fire.[1]

  1. ^ a b NAVEDTRA 14909 Gunner’s Mate 3 & 2 – Chapters 7 through 8 (1996) via alternatewars.com Accessed May 11, 2014
  2. ^ United Defense (March 29, 1998). "mk13-gmls.pdf" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network. Retrieved April 15, 2007.