Mark 13 missile launcher

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."

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
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 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]

Usage

In the United States Navy, the Mark 13 launcher was most typically employed as part of the Mark 74 Guided Missile Launch System, or the Mark 92 Fire Control System. Though the launcher was original armament on U.S. Navy Perry-class frigates (and their derivatives), in order to save costs on an obsolete system, by 2004 all active U.S. Navy vessels have had the system removed.[3] It was also fitted on the French Cassard-class frigates, as well as the two Mitscher-class destroyers converted to DDGs, the last ten American Charles F. Adams-class destroyers, the American California-class cruisers, the German Lütjens-class destroyers and Australian Perth-class destroyers and Adelaide-class frigates, and Dutch Tromp-class frigates and Jacob van Heemskerck-class frigates, and Italian Durand de la Penne-class destroyers.

Variations

The Mark 22 guided missile launching system (GMLS) is a variation of the Mark 13 launcher which has only the inner 16 round storage ring of the Mark 13 launcher.[2] It was deployed on US-designed, Baleares-class Spanish frigates.[4] and US Navy Brooke class frigates. Another major difference is that on the Mark 22 the magazine is non-rotating. The launcher rotates over the desired missile and it is then hoisted onto the rail. On the Mark 13 the magazine rotates under the launcher.[5]

See also

References
  1. 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.
  3. Burgess, Richard R. (September 2003). "Guided Missiles Removed from Perry-class Frigates (Sea Services section: Northrop Grumman-Built DDG Mustin Commissioned in U.S. Pacific Fleet)". Sea Power. Washington, D.C.: Navy League of the United States. 46 (9): 34. ISSN 0199-1337. OCLC 3324011. Archived from the original on 2009-01-12. Retrieved 2008-09-22. (dead link)
  4. Friedman, Norman, The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1997-1998, Page 419, USNI Press 1997.
  5. Gunner’s Mate 3 & 2 Chapter 5. USN. Accessed May 12, 2014.
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