Standard SM-6 missiles vertically launched. Serious flames - Made in the USA.
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Russia has developed coffin launchers for many ship sizes over many decades. But Russia has now succumbed to superior Western vertical launch technology. Russian and Chinese reverse engineering being the highest form of flattery.---
For example here are some of Russia's old coffin launchers in action on small early model Molniya class corvettes https://youtu.be/8UAPGBcPY80?t=2m44s (missile demo ends at 3 minutes).
Russian coffin launched missiles appear semi-aimed. They are fired with considerable momentum. This may involve the whole ship turning in the direction of the target or a lot of fuel expenditure for the missile to alter course. Either stacking the coffins or loading them with missiles in port may be a difficult business.
For some of those reasons Russia is increasingly turning to vertical launch systems - like the West (mainly US) has used since the 1980s.
Russia's October 2015 Caspian Sea vertical launching of 26 Kalibr cruise missiles - even from small later model Buyan class corvettes.
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Not only the missiles can be rearranged but the Mark 41 system allows whole modules to be chopped and changed. (Diagram courtesy http://www.tpub.com/gunners/184.htm)
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The advantages of VLS include:---
1. It allows ships to load (in port) a selection of missile types tailored for possible missions. So 96 Mk 41 VLS cells on an Arleigh Burke class destroyer that is planning land attack cruise missiling of ISIS in Syria/Iraq, could be armed with (say):
- 70 Tomahawks (land attack),
- 10 ASROCs (anti-sub) and
- 16 SAM.
Harpoon ASMs have their own diagonal launchers.
2. It is cheaper and easier to alter VLS modules and cells for new missile systems.
3. Vertical modules can be more tightly packed (better using limited deck space than diagonal coffin launchers).
4. Fewer moving parts to go wrong
5. Greater safety and more balanced-aerodynamic launch as the missile flies straight up long enough to clear the cell and the ship, and then turns on course. Calm seas and low wind speeds help.
6. Not as vulnerable as coffins to blowing/falling over in rough seas or windy conditions.
The US has had ship VLS for decades and now Russia and China are adopting VLS in ever smaller ship types.
Here's a toe-tapping, missile-including piece of Russian techno-porn - just for fun.
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Have a good weekend.
Pete