The Switchblade's Lethal Debut
While the attendees were focused on the TV screens displaying the target markers, the staff quietly prepared a larger launch tube than the one used for the Switchblade B. Once the signal for readiness was received, CEO Park In-tak gripped the microphone again.
"The Switchblade C is now ready. Please direct your attention to the launch tube in front."
The attendees hurriedly turned their heads to look at the tube the staff had prepared, and the controller immediately issued the launch command. Following the signal, a staff member pressed the firing switch, and the anti-tank drone was launched with a sound significantly louder than that of the anti-personnel version. Because the anti-tank drone was much larger, the attendees could easily track its flight path, alternating their gaze between the TV screen and the drone's trajectory.
"We have prepared a new tank to demonstrate the anti-tank loitering munition."
At CEO Park In-tak’s announcement that he had prepared a new tank for the evaluation, the attendees leaned in. However, when the Switchblade reached the target area near the training ground and the camera revealed the 'new tank,' everyone began to laugh.
"What is this? I was excited when you said you prepared a new tank, but it’s just steel plates welded together..."
"Do you really think it’s easy to bring a real tank to a test for a 14-million-won drone?"
People exchanged thoughts while watching the feed from the Switchblade C, and CEO Park chimed in with his usual flair.
"My apologies, I neglected to mention that it is a weldment modeled after a new tank. Please note that the top armor is constructed to a thickness of 800mm."
The operator controlling the drone circled the Switchblade C twice over the tank-shaped weldment before immediately entering self-destruct mode. The drone accelerated rapidly, striking the tank and causing a massive explosion. The communication signal cut out, and the transmitted feed went black. Since the TV screen next to it was showing the entire training ground, the attendees focused on that, confirming that the upper steel plates had been completely blown away by the explosion caused by the Switchblade.
"Wow! To think you can take out a tank worth over 4 billion won with a 14-million-won drone... The tank crews are going to hate this..."
"Is there any way for a tank to block a loitering munition?"
"It’s impossible to shake off a flying drone; you’d have to catch it with a machine gun..."
"How are you supposed to hit a small, moving object with a machine gun? You’d be better off just leaving the tank and running away..."
The attendees began to share their impressions. After whispering with the controller who had approached him, CEO Park took the microphone.
"You haven't forgotten about the Switchblade A, have you? We still have the cardboard drone left."
"Hahaha. We remember." The officers replied to CEO Park’s banter.
"There is still a 1-million-won cardboard drone flying over the training ground. For reference, the price of the cardboard drone itself is 1 million won; adding the fuse and explosives makes it a bit more expensive. I added a little 'spice' to increase the symbolism."
Knowing that the total cost, even with the fuse and explosives, wouldn't exceed 2 million won, the attendees laughed and replied.
"So, were you trying to scam us?"
"Ah, my apologies." The crowd laughed once more, and CEO Park smoothly continued the conversation.
"While the Switchblade B and C type evaluations were underway, the cardboard drone continued to fly over the training ground, and it is now scheduled to self-destruct on the target at the destination."
"..."
"We created a virtual target considering an enemy radar base. Please look at the TV screen in front of the podium."
The TV screen showed an antenna-shaped object.
"For your information, the antenna was purchased at a low price from a junkyard."
The attendees laughed again, and as the controller began to call out the time until arrival at the target, everyone focused on the TV screen. The cardboard drone dove at high speed from the sky toward the ground where the antenna stood, causing a large explosion.
"There! This is the potential of the cardboard drone. For 1 million won—no, 1 million won plus alpha—you can neutralize an enemy radar base."
People began to applaud at CEO Park’s final remark, and once the applause died down, a Q&A session was held.
"The flight altitude of the drones shown so far is low. Are they detectable by radar?"
"Because the radar cross-section is so small, they are not picked up by radar, and even if they are, the probability of them being misidentified as birds is very high."
"In the case of the Switchblade A, it doesn't have an electro-optical camera attached, and you need to know the GPS coordinates to attack. How can you acquire the GPS coordinates of an enemy position?"
"GPS coordinates can be acquired in two ways. First, by sending special forces to call in the coordinates directly using the radios we supplied to the deployed units. Second, by utilizing real-time satellite photos sent by our Starlink satellites. And while an electro-optical camera can be mounted on the Switchblade A, it’s pointless because it cannot be steered. You can’t put too many features into a 1-million-won drone, right?"
CEO Park turned his head to take more questions, and an Army officer raised his hand.
"When can you start supplying them?"
"Starlink is ready to deliver at any time. It only remains for the Ministry of National Defense to decide."
"Any further questions?"
"..."
"Then, this concludes the Switchblade loitering munition evaluation."
The attendees left the podium while exchanging their thoughts with those next to them. Major General Choi Young-gyu and Colonel Jang Woo-chul, whom Taesik had met before the event, approached him.
"The performance of the Switchblade is excellent. And I especially like that it is cheaper than imported equipment."
Major General Choi Young-gyu praised the Switchblade highly and expressed his intention to make a purchase decision soon. As the South Korean Ministry of National Defense personnel departed, Colonel Oliver approached.
"Mr. Kim. Could I get the video footage of today's evaluation? Just sending the data to my home country wouldn't be enough; I intend to send the video along with it."
"Is the United States interested as well?"
"Of course. The U.S. is spending over 100 million won on shells and missiles just to take out a single insurgent in Iraq. It’s clear that our home country will be interested in a method that can eliminate enemies at such a low cost. The special forces, in particular, would be interested."
"Hahaha. I would be grateful if the U.S. purchased them. I will send it to you as soon as the video editing is finished."
With Colonel Oliver being the last to leave, most of the people had cleared out. Taesik and CEO Park In-tak sat side by side and continued their conversation.
"CEO Park! You worked hard today. The reaction from everyone who attended the evaluation was good."
"I just hope it leads to actual sales..."
While the two were talking, Department Head Park Kyung-hoon appeared with Section Chief Choi Jae-ho from the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Taesik stood up as soon as he saw Section Chief Choi Jae-ho, whom he had seen at Starlink Communication.
"Was it you, Section Chief Choi, who was coming from the NIS?"
"Yes. I observed the evaluation process from a corner. Everyone seemed very interested."
"But why did the NIS attend the evaluation process?"
"We are also thinking of purchasing drones. It is the opinion of our leadership that drones are necessary for independent NIS operations. But Mr. Kim! Is facial recognition possible with the electro-optical cameras mounted on the Switchblade B and C? I’m curious if it can be linked with Starlink’s facial recognition technology."
Taesik glanced at Department Head Park Kyung-hoon, surprised that the NIS was aware of facial recognition technology he hadn't disclosed to the public. Park shook his head, signaling that he hadn't leaked it.
"That’s a technology that hasn't been disclosed yet..."
"Please don't misunderstand. We also happened to find out that Starlink possesses facial recognition technology. Since Starlink Defense is a defense contractor, it receives regular security inspections from the Defense Security Command and the NIS. The inspectors discovered that the Defense CCTV and facial recognition technology are linked."
"Technically, it is possible if you link the electro-optical camera with the facial recognition program. The facial recognition technology we possess requires acquiring 80 node points from the face, so it would be impossible if the drone's altitude is too high."
"So you’re saying it is possible."
"It takes some time, but it is possible. You would need to capture the face with the camera, extract the data, and compare it with the original photo to confirm a match, but you would need to link the Switchblade terminal information with the satellite."
"Then, we at the NIS will also purchase the Switchblade. I will contact you after we review the required quantity."
Taesik responded to the NIS's intent to purchase the Switchblade.
"The facial recognition technology cannot be sold. Please proceed with the purchase knowing that. Instead, if the NIS needs support, we will provide it for an appropriate fee."
"Hmm... is it really not for sale? We will pay whatever price you ask, so please reconsider..."
"It is impossible. And since the NIS does not possess its own satellites, there will be limitations even if you purchase them."
"Well, it can't be helped. We will start by purchasing the Switchblade."
After all attendees had withdrawn, Taesik gathered his employees, thanked them for their hard work, and handed out bonuses. The employees looked at the envelopes with curiosity.
"This contains the money for today's company dinner. I will provide additional incentives after the Switchblade sales contract proceeds."
The employees were delighted at the mention of incentives, and Taesik asked them to clean up the site before he returned.
While waiting for the South Korean Ministry of National Defense and the U.S. to express their intent to purchase after the Switchblade evaluation, Taesik received a call from Larry of Google.
"Our Google listing date has been set for August 19th. As we discussed before, we will determine the public offering price through an auction method before the listing, and I think we can expect 85 dollars per share."
"Google is finally going public. Congratulations. Do I need to participate in the auction as well?"
"No. Since we agreed to sell at the average price, you just need to deposit 300 million dollars into the company account. If the deposit isn't made by 9 AM on the day of the auction, I intend to put the shares allocated to you up for auction."
"I will deposit it right away. Is there any need to wait until the day of?"
"I feel this often, but looking at the actions you take, Mr. Kim, I think you must be near the top of the global wealth rankings. Just how much is your net worth?"
"Hahaha. I haven't calculated it, so I don't know. You shouldn't miss out when there's an opportunity. I am one of the people who believes that Google will succeed."
"Ah! And the Google map service will start after the listing. It’s a project the company is pushing, so everyone has high expectations."
"It’s finally starting. It’s the first collaborative project between Google and Starlink, so I hope it succeeds."
After finishing his call with Larry, Taesik noted the listing date on his calendar and waited for it to become a small way to earn some pocket money.