Chapters:
0:00 The difficulty with Vertical Launch Systems
0:42 When warships go Winchester
1:39 How Vertical Launch Systems are rearmed
2:14 Why VLS built-in cranes were removed
3:58 Complications of re-arming VLS at sea
4:46 Bringing back VLS Underway Replenishment
5:57 The advantages of VLS Forward Reloading
7:55 Why were arm launchers replaced with VLS?
9:10 What limits the firing rate of VLS?
11:18 Other advantages of VLS
12:12 The one advantage of arm launchers over VLS
12:52 What are the different types of VLS Launch?
14:01 VLS rearming in the Western Pacific (China)

Vertical Launch Systems or VLS are arguably the best thing that have happened to Naval weapon systems since the 1980s, but they have one massive shortcoming: They are extremely tricky to reload. And despite many attempts at addressing this problem, it still remains the single weakest link in the logistics of rearming these systems.

But why the US Navy eliminated the built-in cranes that once used to arm the VLS on the ships, what truly limits the maximum firing rate of vertical launch systems, and why the US Navy switched from arm launchers to VLS cells in the first place, even though arm launchers had one undeniable advantage, is #NotWhatYouThink #NWYT #longs

Music:
Tiger Beat - Tigerblood Jewel
On the Trail - Tigerblood Jewel
Thyone - Ben Elson
Into Hiding - Marten Moses
Beyond the Mountains - Experia
Some Kinda Medication - Pip Mondy
Linda Low - Lucention
Dark Water - Magnus Ludvigsson
Legions - Jo Wandrini
Sidelined - Dip Diet

Footage:
Select images/videos from Getty Images
Shutterstock
National Archives
US Department of Defense

Note: "The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."