Universal launchers appeared abroad yet in the Cold War times. The Soviet Union began to design them in the 1980s. At present Russian warships are equipped with several types of launchers. Thus, universal vertical launchers 3S-14 are used to fire Kalibr cruise missiles and antiship 3M-55 (codename Onix) missiles. Similar launchers are used for Poliment-Redut antiaircraft guided missiles. They resemble UKSK-M as they are transportation container launchers placed under the warship deck.
Older launchers are still operational. Thus, Fort-M missiles (seaborne antiaircraft S-300 system) are often fired from the so-called revolving launchers. Their sophisticated design includes several transportation container launchers with missiles. After each launch the unit rotates to replace the empty container by a new one.
The US Mk.41 is the most widely-used universal vertical launcher in the world. It was initially designed for Standard antiaircraft missiles but was later increased in size to fire seaborne Tomahawk cruise missiles and ASROS antisubmarine guided missiles. Mk.41 has now an upgraded version with the Mk.57 index. Zumwalt destroyers are armed with it. American launchers can be found on warships of practically all navies of NATO countries, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. Similar launchers were designed by France, the UK, and China, the Izvestia said.
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