Lockheed Martin has begun discussions with undisclosed companies in Japan regarding the possible licensed manufacture of containerised vertical launch systems (VLS) for installation on naval vessels.
Each containerised VLS will feature a four-cell launcher. Examples of the system in service with the US military include those that are configured to launch the SM-6 surface-to-air missile and the Tomahawk cruise missile.
The containerised VLS is currently cleared for installation on the US Navy's littoral combat ships.
Although there remain no concrete plans regarding the introduction of the containerised VLS into Japanese service, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) has expressed interest in the possible integration of such systems on some of its ships to expand their anti-surface warfare capabilities.
In 2024, the JMSDF began conducting a technical study for the integration of containerised VLS systems housing anti-ship missiles. The study calls for integration of containerised VLS on vessels that were not originally designed to be fitted with such systems.