Mark 136 VLS

The Mark 136 vertical launch system (VLS) originated in the Portland Iron Works in Sarzonia when engineers there realised the logistical problems of having separate missile launchers for their Scourge and Scorcher large surface to surface missiles along with Mark 41 VLS tubes for standard missiles. They set about creating a VLS tube that could handle the extra large missile launchers, but also had an eye on allowing it to fire standard vertically launched missiles.

Highlights of the Mark 136 VLS include a one metre diametre and an adapter system that can be fitted onto the VLS tube to allow it to launch smaller missiles, such as the Mark 41 standard. This gives the Mark 136 great versatility and can save space otherwise devoted to smaller VLS tubes or separate launchers for missiles.

The system has been so popular in PIW designs that it has been adopted by several other nations, including The Silver Sky and other nations who have requested production rights to the launchers.

Successor to the Mark 136?

One problem with the Mark 136 VLS is the fact that it is not equipped to launch surface to air missiles (SAM) and separate launchers must be used for short- and medium-ranged missiles. To answer this, PIW has begun to develop the Mark 142 dual purpose missile launcher. This system is the most versatile system in Sarzonian history in that it allows for both SSM and SAM launches from the same tubes. Owing to the great length of the two-stage Dragonfly SAM, these tubes take up more space than the venerable Mark 136 VLS, so it may ultimately complement the system it was originally intended to replace.