Chapter 88
Chapter 88
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Next-Generation Destroyer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“This is the blueprint for the Korean-style Aegis destroyer we will be building. In other words, since a reference design already exists, shortening the development time shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“This is a destroyer?”
It must have been a rather unfamiliar shape to them.
The integrated mast, the trimaran hull, and the stealth-designed naval gun were all vastly different from the conventional warships they had designed until now.
But what they didn't know was this.
That design was a model born right here at Daeyoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
Before my return, the government had commissioned design proposals for the Korean-style Aegis destroyer from both Hyunwoo and Daeyoo Shipbuilding, and the proposal Daeyoo had submitted back then was exactly this.
“Your job from now on will be to increase the full load displacement to 10,000 tons based on this design.”
If there was a problem, it was that.
Expanding this 7,000-ton Korean-style mini-Aegis vessel to at least the size of the Sejong the Great-class.
Of course, a bigger ship isn't always better, but it was a necessary choice to accommodate a variety of armaments and improve operational capabilities.
“As long as we can fully understand the existing design, expanding the displacement won’t be a major issue.”
A rather senior-looking engineer replied.
Come to think of it, the people gathered around seemed to be mostly engineers.
Unlike the regular executives focused solely on sales, they were certainly more proactive.
“That’s a relief. For your reference, this ship will be coated with the infrared shielding paint developed by our research institute. Thanks to this, its ability to evade anti-ship missiles will be dramatically increased. Also, the AESA radar on board will feature LPI, or Low Probability of Intercept mode, making it difficult for the enemy to pinpoint our location.”
“Whoa!”
The engineers let out gasps of admiration at my words.
But they seemed to realize I wasn't finished speaking and fell silent again, watching me intently.
“The propulsion will be a CODLAG hybrid system. Well, that part will be developed at the research institute, so it shouldn’t concern you. As for the combat system, which you are most worried about, over 60 percent of it is already developed, so you don't need to worry. The naval gun, the vertical launch system, the radar, and the weapon control software are all complete.”
“……”
“Oh, and the combat information system is also finished—a Korean-style system with 20 times the target management capability and nearly 100 times the information processing power of existing systems.”
“……”
The engineers looked at each other with bewildered expressions.
After a moment, one of the older engineers posed a crucial question.
“But why is the mast shaped like this?”
“That is an integrated mast system that consolidates all radars and sensors in one place.”
“Consolidating the radars and sensors? But why?”
“To reduce the RCS, the Radar Cross-Section, of course.”
The engineer blinked at my words.
He examined the blueprint again with eyes full of curiosity, still looking like he couldn't quite get used to it. In the end, I continued my explanation for them.
“It is now a global trend for even destroyers to have a stealth design. Therefore, we must follow that trend.”
“Then with this design, what would the RCS value be…?”
“The RCS of this design is small enough to register as a vessel smaller than a Chamsuri-class patrol boat. As I mentioned before, the integrated mast plays a significant role. In fact, that’s not the only advantage of an integrated mast. The organic operation of its multiple sensors improves equipment efficiency, enhancing combat capability to a level incomparable to existing systems.”
“……”
“More importantly, its modular structure allows the ship and the mast to be built simultaneously. Simply put, it not only shortens construction time but also makes maintenance easier. Honestly, at this point, wouldn't it be entirely possible to build it within three years?”
The engineers who had been listening to my explanation all drank from their water glasses as if their throats were dry.
As engineers, they certainly wouldn't lack the ability to interpret blueprints.
The fact that a flawless blueprint existed.
And the fact that it employed a completely different design methodology from what they were used to seemed to have left them utterly baffled.
“Where on earth did you get this?”
Someone brave enough asked me.
His expression seemed to say he still found the situation hard to accept.
Then again, the Chairman suddenly showing up and tossing a blueprint on the table wasn't exactly an easy situation to comprehend.
“You only need to keep one thing in mind. If this becomes a reality, this country will possess a vessel that U.S. Navy destroyers wouldn't even dare to compare themselves to.”
“……”
*******
“What’s this place?”
As I resumed my site inspection, I witnessed a slightly odd scene.
People were coming and going from what looked like a massive, enclosed dock.
The security around the area, meant to block outsiders, was quite strict, giving it the feel of a place where something secretive was happening.
“Ah, that… is the construction site for the *ROKS Lee Eokgi*, the last of the Type 209 submarines.”
“The *Lee Eokgi*? Shouldn’t that have been handed over to the military last December, with the project concluded?”
According to history, that's what should have happened.
The Senior Managing Director in charge, his face flushed with embarrassment, scratched his head and made an excuse.
“That was the plan, but the acceptance evaluation team refused to take delivery.”
“Why?”
“Apparently, micro-cracks have been found in the propellers of the currently operational Type 209 submarines. The problem is that the *Lee Eokgi* is fitted with the same propeller, so the government decided it would be commissioned after they allocate an additional budget to fix the issue.”
That part didn't align with history.
Well, the fact that there was a problem with the propellers was historically accurate, but the *Lee Eokgi* delaying its commission because of it was a different situation.
Putting that aside, I was curious just how serious the problem was to delay its commissioning.
“Isn't some wear and tear from cavitation—the formation of tiny voids due to the propeller's rotation—a common occurrence? Just how many cracks were there?”
“In the worst cases, they found nearly 250 micro-cracks.”
“……”
That was practically at the level where it should be scrapped.
Tsk, another example of the limits of our current technology.
After all, propeller manufacturing is a field that requires an accumulation of know-how in fluid dynamics, metalworking technology, and shape design. It would have been too much for South Korea's technological level at this time to overcome.
“So, what’s the solution?”
“For now, we are considering importing them from Germany.”
“Hmm…”
The German-developed propeller from this period would likely be the skewback propeller.
The one with six blades instead of seven.
According to them, reducing the thickness was supposed to reduce cavitation, but the problem was that it too suffered from severe cracking a few years later.
This eventually led to a situation where they had to switch back to a conventional seven-bladed propeller made of Sonoston.
‘But we can’t go with the PBFC method like Germany. We don’t have the time to add extra structures, and it could create problems with the overall balance. So what should I do… wait a minute!’
As my thoughts deepened, my gaze suddenly fell to my wrist.
I remembered that among the countless folders stored within, there was technology for manufacturing propellers using composite materials.
I think it was around 2023 when the ADD succeeded in creating a propeller using a carbon fiber composite deposition method.
“I think I can give you an answer to that problem soon.”
If that was the case, there shouldn't be any issues.
We had already developed world-class carbon fiber, and we had acquired the lamination technology while manufacturing the attack helicopter rotors.
Furthermore, since I already had the necessary blueprints, I could make it a reality in just a few months if I set my mind to it.
“What do you mean…?”
Moreover, if it was developed, it would do more than just solve the problem.
A composite-laminated propeller was a piece of technology that didn't experience cavitation even at speeds over 20 knots.
This meant a conventional submarine could operate at top speed for extended periods without issue, which would lead to a dramatic increase in its operational capabilities.
“For now, I will contact you again about this matter the day after tomorrow.”
“……”
******
The next day, I headed straight to the research institute.
Hee-won, whom I hadn't seen in a while due to being busy, had somehow put on weight and had a radiant look on his face.
“Dating must be doing you good.”
“Of course. What else is there to life? Finding someone you love and living well with them is the best.”
Hee-won responded rather philosophically to my tossed-out comment.
His way of speaking seemed to have changed a little, too.
Thinking it was a positive change, I smiled and patted his back, but he suddenly scowled.
“Did you come here to dump more homework on me again?”
“Wouldn’t that be obvious?”
“Damn it… What is it this time?”
At his words, I handed him a memory card.
After a lengthy explanation, he sighed as if in relief.
“Well, we already have the lamination technology, so it shouldn’t be difficult. And with the blueprints available… I think it’s possible within about four months.”
“Speeding things up is good, but you’ll need to secure a generous quantity.”
“How many?”
“Three for now.”
“Why do you need three of them?”
“With all the Type 209 submarines fitted with the same propeller, do you think only one would have a problem? Since the government’s feet are to the fire and they’ve already approved it, we should just get it done quickly.”
“Then don’t we need nine, not three? There are nine Type 209 submarines.”
“If we retrofit them all at once, it will disrupt operations. So, we’ll do it sequentially, three at a time.”
Hee-won finally seemed to understand the situation and nodded.
As I smiled and turned to leave, he called out urgently from behind me.
“Hey! I’m getting married soon. Make sure you prepare a hefty wedding gift.”
“……”
Damn it, did they all make a pact or something?
I don't know why everyone is in such a rush to get married.
A fiery urge to flip him the middle finger rose within me.
“Hee-won, about marriage… it’s not a done deal until you’re walking down the aisle arm in arm. So don’t be too sure of yourself.”
“…That bastard. Is he crazy?”
***
[The U.S. government has acknowledged its failure to capture Osama bin Laden.]
The aftermath of the war in Afghanistan lingered.
Although the U.S. was conducting stabilization operations after declaring an end to the war, small-scale battles continued to break out sporadically.
The Taliban's resistance would eventually lead to the Iraq War, so it felt wrong to say that war was already over.
[Our government has dispatched the first contingent of the Korean military medical support unit.]
Our military's dispatch ultimately followed history.
The only thing that had changed was that they were all wearing the body armor provided by Jaewoo.
It was a measure taken by the government to ensure the safety of the medical staff, but historically, our medical unit was never attacked, so it probably didn't mean much.
[The long-awaited 2002 World Cup is now just two weeks away.]
The excitement for the Korea-Japan World Cup was reaching its peak.
While one part of the globe was groaning under the scars of war, another was holding a worldwide festival.
There was no irony quite like it.
“Let’s head out.”
After mustering all our capabilities for some time, Daeyoo Truck finally unveiled five JLTV prototype vehicles.
We traveled for about three hours to the ballistic test range.
The moment I saw the hulking vehicles standing in the distance, my heart, which had been calm all along, suddenly began to pound.