As for VLS installation, I would not be so sure – the ATACMS booster would fit, and it would appear that the main body is of no greater diameter. This would mean that it should fit in a standard Mk41 VLS (since the ATACMS itself was looked at as a potential naval missile).

I think they’re to the point we’re they’re seriously looking at what’s going to be the next generation Tomahawk so to speak. That’s why HyFly, RATTLRS, and X-51 are all pretty close in size, notional payload, range, etc. They want something that can be launched from a MK41 VLS and probably the F-15 (F-15 has launched HyFly booster test vehicles and I’ve seen renderings of the F-35 fitted with RATTLRS and renderings of both launching from VLS cells). Why the X-51 is going to be launched from a B-52 I suspect has more to do with the aircraft/vehicle interface than vehicle size.