Mark 26 missile launcher

Mark 26 Guided Missile Launching System
A RIM-66 Standard MR on a Mark 26 launcher, USS Ticonderoga, 1983.
TypeGuided Missile Launching System
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1976 - 2005 (USN)
2005 - present (ROCN)
Used byUnited States Navy (formerly)
Republic of China Navy
WarsCold War
Production history
Designed1970s
ManufacturerFMC / United Defense / BAE
No. built26 systems on 13 ships
VariantsMod 0 to 5
Specifications
Rate of fire2 missiles every 9 seconds
1 second salvo delay

The Mark 26 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) was a United States Navy fully automated system that stows, handles, and launches a variety of missiles. The system supported RIM-66 Standard, RUR-5 ASROC, and potentially other weapons.[1] The Mark 26 had the shortest reaction time and the fastest firing rate of any comparable dual arm shipboard launching system at the time. With only one man at the control console, a weapon can be selected, hoisted to the guide arm, and launched. Several mods (0 to 5) provided magazine capabilities of 24 to 64 missiles.[2]

  1. ^ Mk26 GMLS United Defense pamphlet via alternatewars.com Accessed May 11, 2014
  2. ^ NAVEDTRA 14909 Gunner’s Mate 3 & 2 – Chapters 7 through 8 (1996) via alternatewars.com Accessed May 11, 2014