Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: The Wheels of Progress
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“Jaewoo Defense has been selected as the developer for our military's next-generation tracked infantry fighting vehicle.”
June 2005.
Just as in the original timeline, Jaewoo Defense was chosen to develop the K21.
In addition, the K2 tank's power pack project was also awarded to Jaewoo Heavy Industries and Thales.
For the time being, the K2 development issues meant we were inextricably linked with Hyunwoo Rotem.
“We're counting on you, Chairman Jin.”
Chairman Jung Tae-min of the Hyunwoo Group extended his hand to me, looking as if he had gained an invincible army.
Well, when you think about it, I suppose I am an invincible army.
With my involvement, they'd be able to avoid most of the errors in the K2 tank's development process.
In fact, just a few days ago, I had proposed a collaboration with Hyunwoo on various control systems and other components. Perhaps due to the technological prowess Jaewoo had demonstrated, Chairman Jung had been taking this proactive stance ever since.
“The pleasure is all mine. I look forward to working with you as well.”
We were at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
Ah! Come to think of it, this was also established about a year earlier than in the original timeline.
Then again, with military reforms happening several years ahead of schedule, it made no sense for there to be no reforms in the procurement sector.
In any case, for that reason, Chairman Jung and I were at the recently established DAPA, continuously exchanging opinions on the development process.
The main focus was, of course, the power pack issue.
Throughout our conversation, the topic he kept returning to was the timeline.
“You've set the power pack's completion date for three years from now. Is that really possible?”
“It's more than possible.”
Chairman Jung stared blankly at me as I answered with confidence.
As someone who knew more about engines and transmissions than anyone, he naturally found my words hard to believe.
However, a prototype of the engine already existed.
Furthermore, the technology transfer for the transmission was underway, so it was no longer the insurmountable hurdle it had been in the original timeline. There was no reason for it to take a long time.
“I have no idea how it's possible, but if Jaewoo can really deliver the power pack that early, the entire development schedule for the XK2 will be moved up significantly.”
Even though he said that, his expression showed he still didn't believe it.
But I wasn't in a position to explain everything in detail.
I simply responded with a smile and turned away.
“Chairman Jung Tae-min's attitude is more surprising than I expected.”
Later, on our way out of DAPA.
CEO Kang of Jaewoo Defense made an unexpected comment to me.
Wondering what he meant, I looked at him, and he continued, glancing over at Chairman Jung in the distance.
“Honestly, you'd think Chairman Jung Tae-min would be wary of us, given how we've been dominating the SUV market lately. But he didn't show any sign of it.”
“He's treating that as a separate matter. I suppose that's just how business is.”
After saying that, I was suddenly reminded of something Chairman Jin Hyun-pil—my father—once said.
He said that the mark of a true businessman was the childlike ability to make up today, even if you were red-faced and fighting yesterday.
Perhaps Chairman Jung Tae-min was also a man who possessed that mindset.
“Come to think of it, you're quite amazing yourself, Chairman.”
“Why is that?”
“The way you fought with Nokid like mortal enemies, and now you've turned them into a friend. I don't think I could ever do something like that.”
I let out a small laugh at his words.
Just as I was about to get into the car, something came to mind, and I took out my notebook to check.
“Speaking of which, mass production of the T-50, which KAI is co-developing with Nokid, starts tomorrow.”
“Has it been that long already?”
CEO Kang said, with an expression that suggested time flew like an arrow.
It was the same for me; time really did fly.
It felt like I'd returned to the past just the other day, but it was hard to accept that seven years had already passed.
“Time really does fly. The KFX is already on the verge of its test flight.”
Thinking about that made the passage of time feel even more like a speeding bullet.
It felt like just yesterday that I was running around for the project, and now the prototype was already ready to take to the skies.
Moreover, the main mission computer and weapon control system had already been integrated long ago.
Once the weapons to be integrated are complete, a truly perfect fighter jet will be born.
“When do you expect the KFX test flight to be?”
CEO Kang asked, as if the topic had just come up naturally.
I checked my notebook again and told him with a smile.
“If there are no major issues with the schedule, it will be in about two weeks. That's why CEO Ahn is on pins and needles right now.”
“I can sympathize. Now that the K21 development has begun in earnest for me...”
“I know. Just pretend you're dead for a few years and get through it.”
My attempt at consolation only made CEO Kang look even more dejected.
And all over just one project.
When I'm involved in countless projects myself.
People seem to think being a chairman means sitting around, receiving reports, and lazing about, but doing that is just a matter of time before the company goes bankrupt.
Ultimately, the chairman is responsible for everything, which means it's a chairman's fate to have to run around several times more than anyone else.
“Well, keep up the good work.”
“Huh? Where are you going? Wasn't this the last thing on your schedule today?”
CEO Kang asked again as I hurried into the car.
*Ring!*
Just then, my cell phone rang.
I let out a dry laugh and shook the phone at him.
“As you can see, I'm in high demand.”
“...”
******
“What's the status?”
A short while later, I arrived at the missile development center.
With just over a year left to test the weapon control capabilities, I couldn't help but feel anxious.
“Development of the supersonic air-to-ship missile was finished long ago, and it's now awaiting testing.”
Seong-ho, whom I hadn't seen in a while, had lost a lot of weight.
As if to prove how hard he'd been working.
But with the weight loss, he seemed to have regained his health, as his eyes were bright and alert.
“What's the propulsion system's maximum speed?”
“Mach 4. Right on the cusp of hypersonic.”
That could be considered a successful development.
Existing naval air defense systems already struggle to defend against something flying at Mach 2.
An anti-ship missile flying at more than double that speed, equipped with sea-skimming and autonomous evasion capabilities, would be virtually impossible to defend against.
“Did you secure a barge for the test?”
“That's the thing. The Ministry of Defense suggested we test it on an actual warship this time.”
“What's that all about?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
The usual practice for anti-ship missile tests was to stack a bunch of containers on a barge and use that as the target.
While using a real warship would allow us to gather much more definitive data, the problem was that there weren't any suitable ships available.
“Is the Ministry of Defense offering up an old patrol boat as a target?”
“Are you crazy? No, apparently they recently bought a ship from Russia for scrap, and the Ministry of Defense purchased it. They want to use it as a target for our new supersonic anti-ship missile.”
It felt like a refreshing change.
The same Ministry of Defense that used to tremble at the cost of a single target drone for anti-air missile tests... I wondered what had gotten into them.
Then again, given the vastly improved economic situation compared to before my return, the defense budget had increased significantly, so it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
‘Come to think of it, achieving nearly 8% economic growth annually during a time like this is nothing short of a miracle.’
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Oh, it's nothing. Anyway, if the Ministry of Defense is making the offer, there's no reason to refuse. So, when is the test scheduled?”
“It's scheduled for about three months from now.”
“Tsk, the next few months are going to be crazy with all these tests. The KFX, the supersonic anti-ship missile, and the commissioning ceremony for the first Aegis destroyer. Oh, and right, the medium-range air-to-air missile test is next month, too.”
At my last words, Seong-ho's expression soured.
Just as I was wondering if there was a problem, he blurted out something unexpected.
“You just had to say that. Now that you've listed them all out, does it finally sink in?”
“What?”
“How ruthlessly you've been working Hee-won and me. And since you brought it up, Hee-won asked me to pass on a message.”
“...What did he say?”
“He's been married for years now and still doesn't have a kid. He says you should take responsibility.”
“Isn't that his problem?”
“Don't be ridiculous. You have to look at the sky to pick a star, you bastard! How's a guy who goes home once a month supposed to work any magic and have a kid?”
Seeing him get so worked up made me want to laugh.
I knew I shouldn't... but I couldn't resist adding one more comment.
“I'm not even married yet. I can't stand to see my friend living happily ever after with a kid.”
“Whoa... you devilish bastard...”
He suddenly stopped talking and looked away, feigning ignorance.
Wondering what was going on, I saw that researchers were pouring out of the door for their lunch break.
Still, he quickly changed his tune, trying to maintain some semblance of politeness.
“So, what I was saying, Chairman... how about giving us a proper vacation now and then?”
“Sure. Maybe next year.”
“...”
******
*Whoooosh!*
I followed him into the lab, where the final propulsion test for the completed medium-range air-to-air missile was in progress.
I had ordered the development of not one, but two medium-range air-to-air missiles.
In fact, there had been a tremendous amount of debate on that topic.
“Honestly, I still don't get it. Why do we need to develop two different types of medium-range air-to-air missiles with the same purpose?”
Seong-ho remarked casually as he watched the combustion test.
He wasn't trying to reignite a settled debate; his question likely stemmed from concerns about the development costs.
“I've told you before. The purpose is the same, but the aircraft that use them are different. Especially that multi-pulse medium-range air-to-air missile—it's essential for when our fighter jet truly becomes a 5th-generation aircraft. So even if it costs more, we need to spearhead its development in advance.”
To be precise, it was because of the internal weapons bay.
For medium-range air-to-air missiles, it's true that the ducted ramjet type is superior in terms of sustained thrust.
The problem, however, is that the structure of the missile's air intake interferes with internal carriage, making it difficult to use on stealth aircraft.
That would mean we'd go through all the trouble of making it, only to have to use external hardpoints, which would defeat the purpose of a stealth aircraft.
“True, the multi-pulse type has a sleek exterior, making it a perfect fit for an internal weapons bay. There's also less chance of an accident during launch.”
In truth, that wasn't the only reason the multi-pulse type was advantageous for stealth aircraft.
The propellant is configured in multiple bulkhead-like sections that ignite sequentially. Thanks to this, it can maintain thrust until the terminal phase, much like a ducted ramjet, which also has the advantage of having no NEZ, or No-Escape Zone.
That's why, in the original timeline, the United States eventually upgraded the AMRAAM to a multi-pulse motor.
“By the way, once this thing hits the scene, won't it be the end of the AMRAAM era?”
I'm sure it will be.
The AMRAAM has a critical flaw of losing thrust in its terminal phase, and since so many countries use it, its operating frequencies are heavily exposed.
Just how serious is that? With DRFM, or Digital Radio Frequency Memory technology, it's possible to replicate and broadcast even the most complex frequency modulations, which could cause the missile to go completely haywire and crash.
Simply put, the heavily exposed frequencies of the AMRAAM mean it can be jammed at will if someone is determined enough.
‘In fact, before I returned, both South Korea and Japan were capable of doing so. So it's no exaggeration to say the era of the AMRAAM is truly over.’
“Setting the multi-pulse type aside, are we really developing the ducted ramjet version with exports in mind?”
Seong-ho asked, pointing to the other medium-range air-to-air missile undergoing a combustion test across the room.
I glanced at him for a moment before continuing my explanation.
“That's right. The multi-pulse air-to-air missile will most likely only be used by us. Frankly, it would be foolish to export something that could single-handedly change the landscape of aerial combat. But we're a profit-driven organization, so we need an export version, too. Plus, it can be mounted on the KF-16.”
“You're going to integrate that medium-range air-to-air missile onto the KF-16? Will the US even allow that?”
“Did you forget? We already secured the rights to integrate our own weapons onto all our F-16s a few years ago.”
“Ah!”
Seong-ho scratched his head in belated realization.
What was he thinking? His blank expression suddenly brightened.
“Wow, then this is going to be huge, isn't it? If it can be integrated on the F-16, it can obviously be integrated on the F-15, too. So if the US decides to adopt it...”
“Exactly. The numbers would be astronomical. But the ducted ramjet missile won't just be integrated onto the F-15 and F-16.”
“...”
Seong-ho tilted his head, looking puzzled.
“We have another fighter jet set to be born in the future, and I plan to make that aircraft capable of medium-range engagement as well.”
“...”