Talk:USS John Hancock (DD-981)

The Mark 41 Vertical Launch System
I believe that the Mk 41 VLS can also be used to launch ASROC missiles, and so that system is not restricted to Tomahawk missiles. Furthermore, the "Spruance" class destroyers specialized in antisubmarine warfare, so it made no sense to send them to sea w/o any ASROCs. As built, these destroyers all had one 8-cell ASROC launcher, BUT with three complete automated reloads (from a deckhouse), for an amazing total of 24 ASROC missiles. Their other ASW armament included two "Seahawk" helicopters, capable of carrying multiple Mk 46 ASW torpedoes, plus sonobuoys to drop, plus MAD detectors, plus the ship's six reloadable torpedo tubes for Mk 46 torpedoes. All of this was combined with the best bow sonar in the world for surface ships, and the world's best towed sonar arrays.47.215.180.7 (talk) 09:46, 22 January 2018 (UTC)