John Konrad
In a groundbreaking naval exercise, the U.S. Navy and its allies tested the launch of one of its most powerful defensive missiles from a shipping container, marking a significant leap in ship defense technology. During Pacific Dragon 2024, the system successfully launched Raytheon’s SM-3 Interceptor anti-ballistic missile, showcasing a new level of flexibility in defending against airborne threats. What’s even more intriguing—and unsettling for some—is the potential to deploy these containerized missile systems on commercial vessels, blurring the lines between civilian and military assets.
Could these systems be installed on commercial ships to defend against threats like Houthi missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea? While it’s a remote possibility, it raises serious questions about the future of maritime security. Extensive testing, and even tougher international discussions on the legalities of arming merchant ships, would be required before this concept could become reality.
A New Era for Naval Warfare: The Mark 70 PDS and Its Capabilities
Central to this exercise was the Mark 70 Mod 1 Payload Delivery System, a containerized version of the Navy’s Vertical Launch System (VLS). This system packs four VLS cells into a standard shipping container, making it easily transportable by semi-truck and mountable on a wide range of naval platforms. It’s a flexible, modular solution that can enhance missile defense capabilities both on land and at sea.
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