Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Rival
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The image file CEO Ahn was looking at was a picture of the ‘Defiant,’ or SB-1, developed by the United States before my regression.
No, to be precise, it was the result I had commissioned from the research institute based on that design, creating a more efficient version.
Perhaps due to its bizarre appearance, CEO Ahn just stared for a while with an expression that seemed to ask, *what on earth is this?*
“Are you saying you plan to develop a transport helicopter using coaxial rotors?”
“We already possess perfect coaxial rotor technology from our attack helicopter development. Plus, our engines have been maximized for efficiency. So there’s no reason we can’t use that to develop a transport helicopter.”
“…”
“Besides, coaxial rotors are a system already proven for their stability. In other words, they’re perfect for a transport helicopter, where stability is the top priority.”
“That’s true, but…”
CEO Ahn trailed off.
The way he kept stroking his chin suggested he still couldn’t get over the unfamiliarity of the design.
Well, I had the same reaction when I first saw the Defiant, so I could certainly understand his response.
“Good heavens, even so, I just can’t believe that adding this one thing could give it a cruising speed of 460 kilometers per hour…”
CEO Ahn still looked unconvinced.
I smiled, turned the laptop screen back toward me, and after staring at it for a long moment, spoke again.
“I understand. But the impact this one tail rotor has on the overall speed is tremendous.”
“Well, let’s say that’s true. If the cruising speed is 460 kilometers per hour, what kind of low-altitude infiltration speed can it achieve?”
“For low-altitude infiltration, I expect it can reach speeds of about 350 kilometers per hour. At that rate, it would be the best in terms of troop infiltration capability into enemy territory, wouldn’t it?”
“…”
CEO Ahn blinked and stared at me.
It wasn’t that he didn’t understand the meaning; he was likely imagining the changes this would bring to the army’s operations.
“My god! If it can infiltrate at 350 kilometers per hour at low altitudes… wouldn’t it also be perfect for Marine Corps landing operations?”
“Exactly. So, it can be modified not just for the army but for the Marine Corps in the future. In short, it will be a multi-purpose transport helicopter.”
For a moment, CEO Ahn’s face was flushed with excitement.
But his expression quickly hardened, as if another problem had occurred to him.
Sure enough, he brought up the cost.
“But with specs like these, it seems like it would go way over budget.”
“Honestly, that’s a concern for me too. There’s a huge gap between this and the specs our military is expecting… But I plan to propose it anyway.”
Even as I said it, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
The development project itself had just recently caused a stir, so I couldn’t predict what kind of backlash would come if I presented specs for an aircraft that far exceeded the budget.
In the worst-case scenario, this aircraft could be shelved entirely.
*Knock, knock!*
“Chairman, CEO Kim Young-gi is here.”
Just as I was deep in thought, CEO Kim Young-gi came to my office.
It was an unexpected visit, and as I tilted my head in curiosity, he flung the door open and spoke.
“Are you watching TV right now?”
“No. Did something happen?”
“Right now…”
CEO Kim Young-gi, about to answer, noticed CEO Ahn already seated and gave him a nod of greeting.
Then, instead of speaking, he turned on the TV and quickly flipped to a news channel.
[The U.S. government officially announced today that it has included our country as a first-tier ally.]
The news was reporting that our elevation to a first-tier ally had taken effect.
It was something that had been expected anyway.
I gave CEO Kim a look that said, *what’s all the fuss about?*, and he quickly spoke.
“The U.S. Secretary of State is flying to Korea tomorrow. And not just the Secretary of State, but Director Michael and other cabinet members from economic departments as well. Don’t you think this is all happening too fast?”
“Hmm…”
“It’s not just the alliance upgrade that’s being rushed. The reason the Secretary of State is coming is to discuss an unlimited and indefinite Won-Dollar swap.”
“They’re already discussing an unlimited Won-Dollar swap?”
The first to react to that was CEO Ahn.
I was just as surprised.
As I stared blankly, CEO Kim sat down across from me and spoke.
“You know what that means, don’t you, Chairman?”
“Of course I do. It means the won will now be recognized as a reserve currency. It also means the ripple effect on our economy will be enormous.”
Honestly, I had mixed feelings of anticipation and concern about that.
On the one hand, it was a positive in that it would provide a definite way to handle foreign exchange crises, but on the other, it could also pave the way for lax fiscal management.
Just like Japan before my regression.
There was no guarantee we would follow the same path as Japan, but the saying ‘opportunity makes a thief’ exists for a reason.
If we made even a small misstep, we too could fall into the trap of a reserve currency, so we needed to be cautious.
Setting that aside, why was the U.S. really rushing things like this?
It felt like they were being chased by something.
—*Chairman Liam plans to meet with Chairman Jin soon.*
Suddenly, Putin’s words flashed through my mind.
Judging by his tone back then, and considering the events unfolding now, it felt like Liam held the key.
The suspicion I had tried so hard to bury was slowly resurfacing.
“Oh, and one more thing. Michael called again. He said he would like to see you as soon as he arrives in Korea tomorrow.”
CEO Kim added another piece of news and stood up.
As I was about to nod, his gaze fell on the image on the open laptop screen, and he froze.
“What’s that?”
“Ah, it’s a proposal to submit to the government. A model for the next-generation transport helicopter development plan.”
At those words, CEO Kim sat back down.
After listening to my explanation for a while, he had the same reaction as CEO Ahn, and then his expression suddenly hardened as he looked at me.
“Come to think of it, Michael mentioned our transport helicopter development project during the call. He’s not coming to snatch it away, is he?”
“He mentioned our transport helicopter project?”
I was struck by a sense of foreboding.
Now that I thought about it, his sudden visit did seem a bit fishy.
The thought crossed my mind that cooperation in the defense sector following the alliance upgrade might just be an excuse, and his real purpose could be something else entirely.
If so, what could he possibly offer?
An upgrade to the UH-60?
Or perhaps, local production in Korea, including modification rights?
“Hmm…”
*******
[It’s been a while, Mr. Jin.]
The next day, Michael arrived in Korea as scheduled and came straight to the Jaewoo headquarters.
Had it been a full year?
I extended my hand with a genuinely pleased expression, but he suddenly looked sheepish.
[On second thought, I suppose I shouldn’t use that title anymore. My apologies.]
[Not at all. Please, don’t worry about it and just call me whatever you’re comfortable with.]
[I couldn’t possibly do that. When we first met, you were so young that the title wasn’t awkward, but you’re approaching middle age now, aren’t you?]
He tried to lighten the mood with a joke.
In that moment, it occurred to me that CEO Kim Young-gi’s theory might be true.
Knowing his usual personality, seeing him make such an out-of-character joke only strengthened my conviction.
[Anyway, what brings you to see me first? I’m sure you have much to discuss with our military command.]
I prodded him indirectly.
Did he sense my intention? He gave a wry smile and sat down.
[Discussing operational cooperation isn’t my role. Surely you haven’t forgotten my position already?]
[I see. So you’ve come because you have something to settle with me. Go on, tell me.]
Seeing that he wasn’t trying to hide his purpose, I stopped beating around the bush as well.
A faint smile touched his lips as he immediately took a photo from his pocket and handed it to me. I was so startled that I looked back up at him.
The Defiant.
The image he handed me was unmistakably of the Defiant.
[What is this?]
[This is an image of the next-generation transport helicopter our government is currently leading the development of.]
My mind went blank for a moment.
It made sense, since this was the period when the JMR (Joint Multi-Role vertical lift aircraft development plan) was being established in the U.S.
But for a perfect image of the Defiant to already exist like this didn’t make any sense.
Moreover, it depicted the Defiant exactly as I remembered it.
In other words, this wasn’t just an image born from imagination; it was highly likely that the detailed design direction had already been established.
*If that’s true, this is no time to be complacent.*
The chaos I had caused in the timeline was now affecting the speed of technological development in the U.S.
[When did you start planning this?]
I cautiously probed him, just in case.
With no way of knowing my intentions, he must have thought I was simply surprised by the innovative design.
Sure enough, he answered without suspicion.
[The development plan was established about two years ago. Boeing and Sikorsky have been selected as the contractors.]
[Two years…]
[Is something wrong?]
[Ah, it’s nothing. So, what is your purpose in showing me this?]
I feigned ignorance and asked again.
For a moment, he gave me a look that seemed to say, *we’re both professionals, why ask something so obvious?* I responded with a long sigh in place of words.
[It seems your intention is to propose this for the Korean military’s next-generation transport helicopter project. In that case, shouldn’t you have gone to the Joint Chiefs of Staff instead of coming to me?]
[You’re right, but I thought it was only proper to inform you first, Chairman Jin. And I also thought I should share some news that might serve as a consolation.]
[A consolation?]
I tilted my head.
[In this situation, Jaewoo stands to lose a massive business contract, doesn’t it?]
“…”
[I know this may sound unpleasant, but frankly, a U.S. company is highly likely to win this contract. Leaving everything else aside, the Korean military is now in a position where it must enhance its joint operational capabilities with us, isn’t it?]
“…”
[Therefore, they can’t ignore the issue of equipment operational efficiency, which ultimately means a U.S. company will have a significant advantage.]
He spoke with the confidence of someone whose country’s company had already secured the helicopter development contract.
Well, a machine like the Defiant would certainly be tempting for our military.
And if they offered local modification rights for the existing UH-60s as an additional condition, the scales would tip even further.
In the current situation—assuming I had no plan of my own—his confidence wasn't unfounded.
[What are you thinking about so intently?]
[Oh, it’s nothing. So, what is this consolation you have for me?]
[There’s been a proposal to adopt the K11 combination rifle, which Jaewoo recently developed, as a support weapon for our special forces.]
I let out a short, humorless laugh.
Honestly, the U.S. Special Forces wanted the K11 because of its excellent cost-effectiveness and performance, not as some kind of compensation.
Moreover, they must have coveted it even more because we had perfectly revised the doctrine and succeeded where they had failed.
Seeing Michael present this as compensation for snatching away the helicopter contract, I found him rather pitiful.
Though, I suppose it was commendable that he had made a desperate effort to come up with something, considering our relationship.
[Are you not pleased? It’s a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars, so it should help Jaewoo recoup some of its losses.]
*Swoosh.*
Without a word, I brought my laptop over from the desk.
Michael looked puzzled by my sudden action, but I ignored him and displayed an image on the screen.
[Wh-what is this?]
Michael recoiled in shock upon seeing my design, which was remarkably similar to the image of the Defiant he had brought.
And why wouldn’t he be?
This was, after all, a redesign based on the Defiant.
As he was still flustered, I spoke casually.
[They look quite similar, don’t they? The image in the photo you brought and this one.]
[This isn’t just similar… Where on earth did you get this?]
[From my head, of course.]
“…”
[It’s not something to be so surprised about, is it? As you know, we already have perfect coaxial rotor technology. Plus, our engine efficiency has long surpassed Russia’s. So, is it really that strange for us to develop a transport helicopter based on that?]
[But this tail rotor… Don’t tell me you designed this yourself too, Chairman Jin?]