LCAW (Low Cost Anti-submarine Weapon) is a miniature torpedo developed by Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei S.p.A. (WASS). LCAW is developed to fill the gap between conventional depth charge and torpedoes, in the area where depth charges lack propulsion and guidance, while the cost of expensive torpedoes is increasingly becoming prohibitive. The program initially begun in 1987, and was completed in 1992. In 1993, the program was adopted by Germany and Norway for their low cost anti-submarine weaponry program when the weaponry proved to meet the German and Norwegian requirement of maximum underwater attack range of 500 m from the point of entry into the water. Norwegians subsequently developed their own upgraded variant. In addition to regular deployment, LCAW is also used by Italian naval special forces. The air-dropped version is deployed from aerial sonar buoy dispensers. The weapon is primarily designed to engage targets in shallow water, especially midget submarines, swimmer delivery vehicle, human torpedo and other special operation users.