South Korean defense company LIG Nex1, a producer of missiles, torpedoes, sensors and combat systems solutions, showcased a range of air-launched anti-ship cruise missiles at ADEX 2025.
LIG Nex1 stated that unlike the various air-launched missile projects being led by the Korean government and agencies, the new missiles on display at ADEX 2025 for the first time are developed by the company, and that these missiles are expected to lead the missile market thanks to their high level of autonomous intelligence and modularity.
Among those new missiles by LIG Nex1, there were three anti-ship cruise missile models: L-MSM, L-MCM, and SASM.
L-MSM – LIG Modular Smart Missile
The L-MSM missile, also known as the LIG Modular Smart Missile, is a 250 pound class air-launched smart multi-purpose missile.
Compared to other missiles unveiled by LIG Nex1, it is the smallest and can be deployed in large numbers on Korean airborne platforms such as the KF-21, FA-50, and future UCAV. L-MSM is adaptable: Modules at the front of the missile can be changed depending on the target, mission, and situation, and can be operated in a cluster form.
The operational concept involves an airborne platform launching multiple L-MSMs toward a target.
The L-MSMs, armed with deception (decoy) or communication relay modules for non-strike missions, support the L-MSMs armed with anti-ship warhead modules for strike missions.
At approximately 3 meters in length, it is somewhat longer than other 250 pound class air-launched missiles. Its endurance is said to exceed 30 minutes, its range is estimated at 300 to 500 km, and it has IIR seeker.
In addition to anti-ship operations, the module can be armed with standard high-explosive or special-purpose bombs for land attack operations. Prototypes will be built starting in 2026, with ground-based launch tests beginning in 2028.
L-MCM – LIG Multipurpose Cruise Missile
The L-MCM missile is a 1,000 pound class multi-purpose air-launched modular missile that is larger than the L-MSM.
Called the LIG-Multipurpose Cruise Missile, it is said to come in two versions: land attack and anti-ship. The L-MCM aims for a high level of intelligence and networking in order to be survivable and avoid interception.
Both types are said to be armed with penetrating high-explosive warheads. The L-MCM missile’s seeker consists of an infrared imaging sensor (IIR) and a CMOS image sensor. A CMOS image sensor is a semiconductor device with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology designed to turn incoming light into a digital image.
It is said that development and ground launch tests will be conducted until 2029, followed by launch from an aircraft.
LIG Nex1 said they are independently developing and testing the new missile in at a fast pace because they leverage existing mature missile technologies.
SASM – Supersonic Air to Surface Missile
LIG Nex1 also showcased at ADEX 2025 a future supersonic air-launched anti-ship missile, previously covered by Naval News.
The missile, previously known as the “Air-to-Ship Missile-II”, has been renamed the SASM (Supersonic Air to Surface Missile), emphasizing its multi-purpose capability that also allows for air to ground missions.
According to LIG Nex1 officials, L-MSM and L-MCM can be sold to foreign customers along with various Korean platforms, just as K-ALCM is being offered to customers as a package with the KF-21 fighter jet.
Regarding the anti-ship capabilities of South Korea’s K-ALCM long-range air-launched stealth cruise missile currently under development, the official said that while it has sufficient potential, the K-ALCM will be focused solely on ground strike missions.
