RUM-139 VL-ASROC

The RUM-139 VL-ASROC is a U.S. Navy surface-ship launched anti-submarine missile that delivers a lightweight torpedo to a water-entry point near a submarine target. Official Navy and reference sources identify Lockheed Martin as the contractor, note its Mk 41 VLS integration, and describe the system as the vertical-launch successor to ASROC.

RUM-139 VL-ASROC, Vertical-launch anti-submarine missile, Munitions

Image source: USS Mustin launches RUM-139 VL-ASROC in March 2014.JPG

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Lockheed Martin
Type: Vertical-launch anti-submarine missile
Service note: 1993-present
Designed: 1983
Produced: 1993-present
Number built: More than 450 by 2007
Variants: RUM-139A, RUM-139B, RUM-139C
Developed from: RUR-5 ASROC

navalanti-submarine warfaremissiletorpedo

Specifications

Length: 16.7 ft (4.89 m)
Diameter: 14.1 in (35.8 cm)
Weight: 1,650 lb (748 kg)
Range: Over 10 miles (about 15 nm)
Propulsion: Solid propellant rocket with MK 114 MOD 0 booster
Guidance: Digital autopilot with thrust-vector control
Payload: Mk 46 Mod 5A(SW) or Mk 54 lightweight torpedo
Launch platform: Mk 41 Vertical Launching System

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Operational with U.S. Navy surface combatants since 1993; the Navy has transitioned the payload from the Mk 46 family to the Mk 54 lightweight torpedo.
Used by: United States Navy

Launch Platforms

Navy fact files describe VLA as a surface-ship launched anti-submarine missile carried by Aegis-equipped destroyers with the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System.

Launcher

Launcher type

Launch evidence

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer

Guided-missile destroyer

The VLA fact file says the missile is carried by Aegis-equipped destroyers with Mk 41 VLS, and the DDG 51 fact file lists ASROC in the Arleigh Burke-class armament summary.

Sources: Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket ASROC (VLA) Missile, Destroyers (DDG 51)

RUM-139 VL-ASROC Images

RUM-139 VL-ASROC, Vertical-launch anti-submarine missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: USS Mustin launches RUM-139 VL-ASROC in March 2014.JPG

RUM-139 VL-ASROC, Vertical-launch anti-submarine missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: US Navy 110620-N-HV737-005 The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) fires a vertically launched anti-submarine rocket d.jpg

RUM-139 VL-ASROC, Vertical-launch anti-submarine missile, Munitions - view 3 — Source: USS Michael Murphy launches its first missile. (8572073262).jpg

Related Weapon Systems

AGM-65 Maverick, Air-to-surface guided missile, Munitions

MunitionsAGM-65 MaverickAir-to-surface guided missileThe AGM-65 Maverick is a U.S. air-to-surface guided missile used from aircraft such as the A-10, F-16, AV-8, F/A-18, and P-3C against armor, vehicles, ships, air-defense sites, and other tactical targets. Its modular seeker and warhead families gave coalition aircraft a smaller precision-strike option during Operation Inherent Resolve, including AGM-65F loading documented on a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion in 2018.

MK-46 torpedo, Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo, Munitions

MunitionsMK-46 torpedoLightweight anti-submarine torpedoThe MK-46 is a U.S. Navy lightweight anti-submarine torpedo introduced in 1965 and documented as a surface ship- and aircraft-launched weapon. Navy fact files list Raytheon as contractor, and the DDG 51 fact file shows Arleigh Burke-class destroyers carrying six MK-46 torpedoes from two triple tube mounts.

ARBALET-K weapon station, Shipborne air-defense weapon station, Air Defense

Air DefenseARBALET-K weapon stationShipborne air-defense weapon stationARBALET-K is a Ukrainian shipborne short-range air-defense weapon station from Luch that mounts Igla-type missiles for close-in defense against aircraft and helicopters.

Aster 30 / Sea Viper air-defense missile, Ship-launched surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseAster 30 / Sea Viper air-defense missileShip-launched surface-to-air missile systemAster 30, fielded by the Royal Navy as Sea Viper, is a vertically launched naval air-defense missile system used to protect Type 45 destroyers and nearby shipping from drones, aircraft, and missile threats.

CAMM / Sea Ceptor air-defense missile, Naval air-defense missile, Air Defense

Air DefenseCAMM / Sea Ceptor air-defense missileNaval air-defense missileCAMM, marketed at sea as Sea Ceptor, is MBDA's naval air-defense missile for protecting ships and escorted shipping. Royal Navy frigate HMS Richmond used Sea Ceptor to shoot down two Houthi drones in the Red Sea Crisis in March 2024.

MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, Primary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsMH-60R Seahawk helicopterPrimary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopterThe MH-60R Seahawk is the U.S. Navy's primary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter, designed for operations from aviation ships or air-capable vessels. It entered Navy service in 2006, reached full operational capability in 2010, replaced the SH-60B and SH-60F, and Navy reporting says it will employ existing AGM-114 Hellfire missiles alongside APKWS II.

Sources

Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket ASROC (VLA) MissilePublisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports VLA background, contractor, surface-ship launch role, carrier-platform context, and general technical data. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Lockheed Martin RUM-139 VL-AsrocPublisher: Designation-Systems.Net | Note: Supports RUM-139 lineage, production history, Mk 41 VLS integration, digital autopilot, payload variants, and detailed dimensions. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Destroyers (DDG 51)Publisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer armament summary that lists ASROC and the Mk 41 vertical launch battery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 USS Mustin launches RUM-139 VL-ASROC in March 2014.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the primary launch photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 US Navy 110620-N-HV737-005 The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) fires a vertically launched anti-submarine rocket d.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the Lassen launch photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 USS Michael Murphy launches its first missile. (8572073262).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing for the Michael Murphy launch photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23