Advancements in Precision Munitions: Hanwha Aerospace’s LPGW100
At the recent defense exhibition in Seoul, Hanwha Aerospace introduced the LPGW100, a cutting-edge loitering munition designed to enhance the capabilities of multiple rocket launchers. This system, launched from a rocket, maneuvers towards its target using an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor suite for precise terminal guidance, even on moving targets.
Integrating Rocket and Munition Technologies
The LPGW100 is paired with the CGR-80, a 239mm caliber guided rocket featuring Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) capabilities. This rocket is capable of engaging targets at ranges between 30 and 80 kilometers and is armed with a high-explosive penetration fragmentation warhead. The launch is facilitated from a six-tube pod mounted on a multi-caliber multiple rocket launcher, allowing flexibility in weapon system integration.
The system optimizes target engagement by providing grids to the guidance system upon launch. During the engagement phase, specific data is relayed, including the optimal release point for the LPGW100. This innovative method involves the forward section of the rocket opening up, which decelerates the rocket, enabling the munition to maintain its momentum and deploy its wings while activating its propulsion system.
Advanced Design Features
The LPGW100 incorporates a unique cruciform wing design characterized by an approximate 120°/60° angle between the wings. Each wing consists of two semi-wings that deploy after leaving the rocket. Propulsion is driven by an electric motor linked to a four-blade propeller. The munition is equipped with an advanced electro-optic sensor package mounted on a gimbal, initially encased in an aerodynamic cover to enhance range and protect the sensor during launch.
Upon separation, the munition transitions to a GNSS/INS navigation mode, featuring anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities. Once the aerodynamic cap is jettisoned, it switches to an image-based navigation system, comparing captured imagery with pre-loaded data. During the final attack phase, the EO/IR suite takes precedence, ensuring high accuracy against both static and moving targets.
Key Weapon Specifications
- Warhead: Shaped charge with preformed fragments for anti-armored and anti-personnel capabilities.
- Weight: Approximately 25 kg, with the warhead itself weighing around 6 kg and having a diameter of 150 mm.
- Control: Features a SATCOM data link for in-flight re-programming, providing adaptability to shifting battlefield conditions.
Development and Future Prospects
The LPGW100 is currently undergoing Critical Design Review, with individual components tested in laboratory settings. Hanwha Aerospace anticipates standalone system testing by 2026, and comprehensive system evaluations are projected for 2027-2028. Considering the combined range of the CGR-80 rocket and the LPGW100, the operational range of this advanced system is expected to approach 100 kilometers.
In a strategic partnership, Hanwha Aerospace announced a joint venture with Poland’s WB Group at MSPO 2025 to produce the CGR-80, designated as Homar-K within Poland. Full-rate production is slated for 2028, and it remains to be seen how the newly unveiled variant at the ADEX 2025 exposition will influence Poland’s capabilities, particularly for the Chunmoo rocket launchers already in service with the Polish Army.
These innovations reinforce Hanwha Aerospace’s commitment to enhancing precision munitions, significantly improving targeting efficiency and effectiveness on modern battlefields.
