With only one man at the control console, a weapon can be selected, hoisted to the guide arm, and launched.

With the Mark 26, two missiles could be on the rails and it could sustain a 9-second firing rate with a one-second salvo delay.

The Mark 26 system was capable of launching nuclear ASROC and included appropriate safety measures.

Both must be locked to prevent accidental or unauthorized loading of nuclear weapons onto the launch rails.

[2] According to NAVEDTRA 14909 Gunner's Mate 3 & 2, Chapter 7: On 11 September 1976, USS Virginia was commissioned, the first US Navy combat ship with the Mark 26 GMLS.