BAE Systems completed the first live-fire test of its Adaptable Deck Launcher (ADL) at China Lake, California, advancing an above-deck missile system designed to expand U.S. Navy warship firepower. Developed under a U.S. Department of War contract for the NATO Seasparrow Project Office, the modular launcher integrates Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) electronics and logistics to fire Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) from inclined canisters. The configuration bypasses deep hull penetration requirements, enabling frigates, amphibious vessels, and unmanned surface vessels to increase missile capacity while conducting at-sea replenishment. Read full defense news at this link...
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| The fixed-angle Adaptable Deck Launcher (ADL) accommodates Mk 25 Quad-Pack canisters carrying four ESSM interceptors per cell across both tactical- and strike-length variants, providing supplementary missile firepower and enabling at-sea rearming without requiring deep vertical launch wells. (Picture source: BAE Systems) |