Korean Vertical Launching System

Three systems may be referred to as K-VLS. • The "K-VLS" is comparable in size and role to the strike-length Mk 41 VLS. It comes in 8-cell modules sized at 3.165 m × 2.076 m × 7.7 m. • The "K-VLS Compact" is specialized for the K-SAAM surface-to-air missile. It comes in modules of 4 cells, sized at 2.9 m × 2.6 m × 4.9 m (length-width-height). Its role can be compared to the Mk 48/56 VLS for RIM-162 ESSM. • Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarines use a K-VLS that has a module size different from either version. Presumably this is a distinct variant comparable in role to the US Mk 45. A newer version called KVLS-II was unveiled in 2021. It comes in modules of 4 cells, sized at 3.0 m × 2.4 m × 9.8 m (L-W-H). An upsized system with increased exhaust handling capacity, its role is comparable to the US Mk 57 VLS.

• Name — Korean vertical launching system 한국형 수직발사체계 • Origin — South Korea • Type — Vertical launching system • Is Ranged — yes • Service — 2003–present • Used By — Republic of Korea Navy • Designer — Agency for Defense Development • Design Date — 2000s • Manufacturer — Hanwha Aerospace • Production Date — 2002–present • Variants — KVLS-II

• Class — Ship type — K-VLS complement • Chungmugong Yi Sun-shin-class (KDX-II) — Destroyer — 24 K-VLS • Sejong the Great-class (KDX-III) — Destroyer — 48 K-VLS (Batch I) / 16 K-VLS + 24 K-VLS II (Batch II) • Daegu-class (FFX-II) — Frigate — 16 K-VLS • Chungnam-class (FFX-III) — Frigate — 16 K-VLS • Nampo-class — Minelayer — 4 K-VLS Compact • Cheon Wang Bong-class — LST — 4 K-VLS Compact • Dosan Ahn Changho-class (KSS-III) — Attack submarine — 6 K-VLS Submarine (Batch I) / 10 K-VLS Submarine (Batch II) • Dokdo-class — LPH — 4 K-VLS Compact