It happens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9-LjeoOpeM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9-LjeoOpeM That said, I think it's more propaganda than a rule. Especi

It happens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9-LjeoOpeM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9-LjeoOpeM That said, I think it's more propaganda than a rule. Especially since plenty of Russian vessels utilize vertical launch systems. I believe the necessity of the angled launch systems like what you'd find on the Kirov, Slava, and Kara classes were more due to the immense size of those missiles. Look at the U.S. Talos and UK "Sea Slug" missiles for western examples. As missile technology became better and more miniaturized, you start seeing more vertical launch systems where it makes sense. The one area I've seen consistent arguments for horizontal launch are in places where a missile failure (see above) would be much more dangerous, such as on a carrier deck. This is why I believe you still see Sea Sparrow and SeaRAM systems placed on the wings and below the deckline, so that a failed launch won't land back on a deck full of fuel and ordinance. The ranges that point defense systems are working at can't allow for a missile body to "tip over" and still hit the target at range.