Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Stealth Killer
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“Secretary Kim.”
As soon as I stepped out of the helicopter, I called for Secretary Kim.
She seemed to already know what I was going to say, pressing her lips together and nodding, but I still felt uneasy and had to give her a warning.
“You have to take this to your grave. The same goes for the pilot.”
“Yes, don't worry.”
For some reason, I didn't trust the pilot's answer.
The smile already playing on his lips proved it.
I sighed inwardly and looked back at Secretary Kim. She said with sparkling eyes,
“I'll just think of it as… spilled flour dough.”
“...”
I shot her a glare and turned away.
Seong-ho, who had approached at some point, must have sensed the strange atmosphere. He kept looking around before suddenly clutching his nose and making a fuss.
“Ugh! What's that smell? Smells like dog vomit.”
That bastard. I think he's doing it on purpose.
I cursed him under my breath and immediately left.
All preparations for the test were already complete at the site.
The KFX prototype, armed with the missile to strike the target, had already taken off from Daegu Airport and was awaiting the launch command. Just minutes after launch, it would blow the decommissioned ship floating in the distance to smithereens.
“Welcome.”
General Lee Sang-hwa, the Air Force Chief of Staff, who had arrived earlier, greeted me with a bright smile.
Since it was an unofficial event, no other VIPs were present besides him and a few Air Force officials.
It was a shame I couldn't show everyone the incredible sight that was about to unfold.
[Anti-ship missile has been launched.]
While I was chatting with them, an announcement signaled the start of the test, informing us that the KFX had successfully launched the anti-ship missile.
It was proof that the target acquisition and fire control systems were working properly.
The successful launch of the supersonic air-to-ship missile was significant, but it also partially proved the KFX's weapons control capabilities.
In other words, the pressure was off for the upcoming full-scale armament tests of the armed KFX.
*Swoosh!*
As I was smiling in satisfaction, I heard a sound tearing through the air from somewhere.
All I could see with my own eyes was the spray of water on the sea.
It was a phenomenon caused by the friction with the air as the missile attempted to sea-skim.
*Kaboom!*
A tremendous roar suddenly erupted from the target warship.
Simultaneously, a massive pillar of water shot up, and the target ship exploded and began to sink slowly.
“The firepower is truly incredible.”
The watching Air Force Chief of Staff clapped repeatedly, exclaiming in admiration.
The result was expected, anyway.
I immediately looked away from the target and focused on the helicopter hovering in the sky.
“Is that helicopter filming the missile's trajectory?”
“Yes, sir. We'll be able to review the video footage after the second test.”
The staff member I asked answered quickly.
A second test?
Puzzled, I looked back at the staff member, and he pointed to a barge floating in the distance.
“The center director said that if we're going to test it, we should be thorough. So we're also planning an inert warhead test against a container.”
An inert warhead test meant a test without explosives.
It was a common method used in tests because if an explosive warhead were used, there was a high chance not only the container but the entire barge would sink.
It seemed to be Seong-ho's idea. He must have wanted to definitively prove the performance of the missile he developed.
[Unit 2 has been launched.]
A short while later, an announcement informed us that the second supersonic anti-ship missile had been launched.
*Whooosh!*
The sound of it cutting through the air was even clearer than before.
Soon, with a thud, I saw the containers on the barge collapse in a heap.
“There's no need for further testing. Just now, it went straight through the 'X' painted on the container. Right in the center.”
The Chief of Staff, who had been watching the situation through binoculars, said with a satisfied smile.
So, one piece of homework is done.
I smiled and was about to shake his outstretched hand when he suddenly spoke in a regretful tone.
“It would have been even better if we could have checked whether it could be defended against by RAM or CIWS.”
“If we did that, those expensive weapon systems would end up at the bottom of the sea. We're not that well-off.”
I replied with a smile.
The Chief of Staff blinked, as if my confidence was excessive. I smiled again and continued.
“Existing RAM or CIWS—that is, close-in weapon systems—cannot stop a supersonic anti-ship missile reaching Mach 4.”
“Why is that? Is the approach speed too fast?”
“That's the main reason. With existing detection sensors and systems, the time it takes to detect and react to a supersonic anti-ship missile flying at Mach 4, especially one using a sea-skimming approach, is far too long. Simply put,
there's very little reaction time. Even if the detection and response times were acceptable, no country other than ours has a precision guidance system capable of intercepting a missile performing evasive maneuvers at that speed.”
“Oh!”
“And crucially, the supersonic anti-ship missile we developed incorporates stealth design. In other words, detection itself is extremely difficult.”
“So that's why the missile has such a futuristic shape.”
The Chief of Staff's face lit up.
One of the Air Force's main missions is to eliminate enemy fleets that threaten our military.
He must have been delighted to be given a weapon that could handle that task most effectively.
“By the way, how is the development of the surface-to-air missile coming along? The Sejong the Great is due to be delivered to the military in a few months, but I haven't heard any news about it.”
The Sejong the Great was the name of our military's first Aegis-equipped destroyer.
A name I had proposed, following the history from before my regression.
It was soon to be delivered and was awaiting various tests following the successful integration of its weapon control system.
The most crucial aspect of an Aegis destroyer is its anti-air capability, so it was natural to be curious. However, it was a bit ironic that the person asking was the Air Force Chief of Staff.
“Ah! Actually, the Chief of Naval Operations asked me to inquire before I arrived. He specifically asked for an update.”
Seeing my expression, General Lee Sang-hwa quickly made an excuse.
I had been consistently reporting the development progress to the Navy, so there was no way they wouldn't know.
This was actually a subtle way of pressuring me.
“As it happens, the development of the surface-to-air missile is also scheduled to be completed soon. Please tell the Chief of Naval Operations not to worry.”
“That's a relief. But…”
General Lee Sang-hwa paused, hesitating to continue.
Just as I was wondering if he had something else difficult to bring up, he scrunched up his face and said,
“By the way, have you smelled something since earlier? You know, that smell of vomit a drunkard might leave on the street…”
Shit, does everyone have the nose of a dog?
******
*Ring!*
It had already been half a month since the successful supersonic anti-ship missile test.
More good news came from the missile development center.
The development of the surface-to-air missile, which would be responsible for the air defense of the soon-to-be-delivered Sejong the Great, was complete.
“2005 is turning out to be a very busy year.”
CEO Kim Young-gi, who heard the news with me, shook his head.
First the KFX, then the supersonic anti-ship missile.
And now, the surface-to-air missile.
And that wasn't all. The first Aegis destroyer was soon to be delivered to the military, and the unveiling of various additional air defense systems was also imminent. It was understandable that he felt overwhelmed.
“I told you, didn't I? 2005 will likely be a watershed year. This is just the beginning, so brace yourself.”
CEO Kim stared at me as I replied with a smile.
Just as I was wondering if he had something else to say, he spoke with an awkward smile.
“I have a feeling this is why you pushed for the preemptive development of various missiles. If they were developed one by one, it would take that much longer to strengthen the military's power, so you acted in advance.”
“You're not wrong. Frankly, what's the point of just building an Aegis destroyer? Without proper armament, it's an empty shell. But following the military's procurement process would take ages, so I had to take the lead.”
“But if the military doesn't choose them, it's all for nothing, isn't it? It's amazing that you decided to take such a risk so easily.”
“No, there's no reason for the military not to choose them. Most of what we've developed are such high-performance items that competition is almost out of the question. If you were holding a machine gun, would you even look at a pistol, CEO Kim?”
“...”
CEO Kim was stunned by my seemingly excessive confidence.
But it was a confidence I was entitled to have, so there was no reason to be nervous. And this was the result.
In the end, the military chose Jaewoo's weapon systems for the most part.
“And even if our military hadn't chosen them, we could have just pursued exports. If that failed… well, we would have just lost some money.”
“...”
CEO Kim looked at me again, flabbergasted.
“I have a lot of money. More than enough to handle that kind of loss.”
CEO Kim let out a dry laugh at my final joke.
Then, as if something occurred to him, his expression changed to one of realization, and he suddenly brought up testing.
“Speaking of which, shouldn't we prepare for a formal public test for the surface-to-air missile as well?”
“No, we won't be holding a public test this time either.”
I stopped the insistent CEO Kim Young-gi.
Was he puzzled by my words?
CEO Kim Young-gi blinked and looked at me.
“Is there a specific reason why you don't want a public test?”
“Yes. It's too special of an item to be publicly tested.”
“...”
“Actually, the medium-to-short-range surface-to-air missile we've developed has a function whose performance must absolutely not be leaked. Therefore, a public test is out of the question.”
“...”
CEO Kim Young-gi looked at me again as if I'd said something completely out of the blue.
Ignoring him, I immediately stood up and grabbed my suit jacket.
“Let's go. I'll show you why.”
“...”
******
*Screech!*
A short while later, CEO Kim Young-gi and I arrived at the center and immediately looked for Seong-ho.
He was in a corner of the lab, repeatedly fiddling with the finished product. When he saw me, his face lit up.
“Did you see it? Ah, no. Have you seen it? I know I made it, but there's no other way to describe this missile's seeker than as a work of art.”
He was pointing at the Ka-band AESA radar seeker we developed, based on Gallium Nitride elements.
It utilized the K-band frequency range of 12-40 GHz, which is higher than the X-band.
Its biggest advantage was the ability to track and destroy a stealth fighter jet detected by the Sejong the Great's multi-band radar without losing the lock. In fact, that very feature was why it had to be kept top secret.
To put it bluntly, this proved that stealth fighters weren't invincible. There was no need to announce the creation of such a weapon to the world and put everyone on alert.
‘Especially since the United States would be the most wary nation. There's no need to reveal it and stir up trouble.’
It would be best to avoid controversy for at least ten years, or even longer if possible. Keeping it a secret until then was the right move.
“But can this really detect stealth aircraft perfectly?”
Seong-ho expressed some doubt on that point.
But this technology was from 2025. It had already been verified through testing right before I regressed.
I answered with confidence.
“As long as we succeed in the initial tracking, we can definitely get it. Once it gets into close range, other sensors will activate simultaneously, so we won't lose the target after that.”
“Still, we should test it. Would it be possible to use the KFX?”
“With its external hardpoints completely removed, the KFX has a detection rate comparable to an F-22, so it's actually perfect for the test. I'll ask KAI to mobilize a prototype, so let's run a tracking test as early as tomorrow.”
I calmed my excitement and turned away.
On the way out of the center.
CEO Kim, who had been listening to our conversation with a dumbfounded expression, rushed over and asked,
“D-detecting a stealth aircraft? What do you mean?”