The L-MDM is a compact, lightweight air-to-surface guided munition under in-house development by LIG Nex1.The ceremony commemorated a project agreement to integrate LIG Nex1’s multi-purpose drone-launched missile, the L-MDM (LIG Multi-purpose Drone-launched Missile), onto Shield AI’s vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft, the V-BAT, followed by flight and live-fire testing. Attendees included LIG Nex1 CEO Shin Ik-hyun and Shield AI Senior Vice President Bob Harward, among other senior officials.
The L-MDM is a compact, lightweight air-to-surface guided munition under in-house development by LIG Nex1. Using laser guidance, it is designed to conduct precision strikes against both fixed and moving targets, enhancing stand-off distance and survivability for operators. The missile has been engineered for straightforward integration with existing rotary- and fixed-wing ISR drone platforms, enabling flexible application across a wide range of unmanned systems.
Looking ahead, the two companies plan to deepen their strategic collaboration in unmanned aerial vehicles and onboard armaments, leveraging a long-term partnership to address evolving operational requirements and intensifying competition in global defense markets.
The partnership builds on prior cooperation. In May last year, LIG Nex1 and Shield AI signed a memorandum of understanding at MADEX 2025 to jointly develop manned-unmanned teaming and autonomous operations systems, laying the groundwork for the integration efforts highlighted at UMEX 2026.
K-DEFENSE NEWS | Strategic Analysis Desk
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