Korean vertical launching system

{{infobox weapon

| name = Korean vertical launching system
한국형 수직발사체계

| image =

| caption = A diagram of a four-cell type K-VLS

| origin = South Korea

| type = Vertical launching system

| is_ranged = yes

| service = 2003–present

| used_by = Republic of Korea Navy

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| designer = Agency for Defense Development

| design_date = 2000s

| manufacturer = Hanwha Aerospace

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| production_date = 2002–present

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The Korean vertical launching system (K-VLS or KVLS) is a hot-launch vertical launching system developed by South Korea to be deployed by the Republic of Korea Navy. It is used in the Sejong the Great-class destroyer, KSS-III submarine, and is scheduled to be added to the Daegu-class frigate. The K-VLS can deploy the Cheongung air defense missile (KM-SAM), Haegung air defense missile (K-SAAM), K745A1 Red Shark anti-submarine missile, Haeseong-II, Hyunmoo-3 land-attack cruise missiles[https://thediplomat.com/2016/06/rok-navy-launches-new-warship-capable-of-hitting-targets-inside-north-korea/ ROK Navy Launches New Warship Capable of Hitting Targets Inside North Korea] - Thediplomat.com, 9 June 2016 and even SLBMs.{{cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/hyunmoo-2b/|title=Hyunmoo-2B - Missile Threat|website=Missilethreat.csis.org|accessdate=25 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/06/south-korea-to-develop-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile/|title=South Korea to Develop Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile|website=Thediplomat.com|accessdate=25 November 2017}}

Three systems may be referred to as K-VLS.

• The "K-VLS" is comparable in size and role to the strike-length Mk 41 VLS. It comes in 8-cell modules sized at 3.165 m × 2.076 m × 7.7 m.
• The "K-VLS Compact" is specialized for the K-SAAM surface-to-air missile. It comes in modules of 4 cells, sized at 2.9 m × 2.6 m × 4.9 m (length-width-height). Its role can be compared to the Mk 48/56 VLS for RIM-162 ESSM.
• Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarines use a K-VLS that has a module size different from either version. Presumably this is a distinct variant comparable in role to the US Mk 45.

A newer version called KVLS-II was unveiled in 2021. It comes in modules of 4 cells, sized at 3.0 m × 2.4 m × 9.8 m (L-W-H). An upsized system with increased exhaust handling capacity, its role is comparable to the US Mk 57 VLS.{{cite web |last1=Gain |first1=Nathan |title=Hanwha Defense details KVLS-II development at MADEX 2021 |url=https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/madex-2021/2021/06/hanwha-defense-details-kvls-ii-development-at-madex-2021/ |website=Naval News |date=10 June 2021}}