The Dawn of the Multi-Role Helicopter
"Considering the workload of the co-pilot, it’s not a bad idea to have the crew operate it."
"We’ve integrated an AI program from Defense this time, so automatic identification and attack functions have been added. In practice, the co-pilot's workload isn't actually that heavy."
"Ah! So Deepmind provided the support, then."
The lead engineer turned the camera that the actual Switchblade was pointing toward a person, and as the person appeared on the helicopter's Multi-Function Display (MFD), a rectangular box appeared, highlighting the information that a target had been identified.
"Aside from people, is it capable of identifying tanks as well?"
"We haven't conducted the test evaluation yet, so I’m not entirely sure, but according to the staff at Defense, there shouldn't be any issues with tanks either."
"Then, once an enemy soldier or a tank is captured within that rectangle, the pilot just needs to press the self-destruct switch, right?"
"Yes. Functionally, it is designed to operate exactly as you’ve described, Representative."
After encouraging the engineers and workers, Taesik returned to Seoul, only to encounter an unexpected visitor.
"Representative. Did you have a successful business trip?"
Section Chief Choi Jae-ho of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was waiting in front of Taesik's office.
"Section Chief Choi, what brings you here? Is there another problem with North Korea?"
"It’s not directly related to the current matter, but we’ve received intelligence that Kim Jong-un, who was recently inaugurated as the North Korean leader, is preparing for another rocket launch."
"Is a destruction operation being planned again?"
"The higher-ups haven't made a decision yet. Since our covert operation was exposed by the revelations of National Assembly members last time, we’ve decided to review North Korea's level of response and make a final decision at the security council meeting."
"Then why...?"
"The President is scheduled to visit the United States, and we need your consultation regarding the ROK-U.S. Missile Guidelines."
"The missile specifications allowed under the guidelines are a range of 300km and a warhead weight of 500kg... What kind of consultation do you need?"
"Didn't I provide you with the solid-fuel technology at your request last time?"
Taesik had used the Russian technology handed over by the NIS to develop air-to-air missiles, and even now, Starlink Defense was in the process of developing other missiles.
"Yes... and?"
"If the ROK-U.S. Missile Guidelines were to be abolished, would the development of solid-fuel rockets be possible?"
"Of course. I’m not sure about liquid-fuel rockets, but if it’s solid-fuel, it’s possible at any time."
"The Blue House has issued an order to determine whether actual rocket development is feasible if the missile guidelines are scrapped."
"If the government takes the lead and abolishes the guidelines, we can begin rocket development immediately. Even now, Starlink is launching satellites into orbit through America's Space Y, but if the guidelines are abolished, we can launch our own satellites. There is no reason not to develop them."
"Understood. I will submit the report in favor of abolition."
Although the current President had siphoned off Starlink Communication’s volume to a company he kept hidden, Taesik decided he wouldn't hold a grudge anymore if the President managed to get the ROK-U.S. Missile Guidelines abolished.
When the day of the utility helicopter test evaluation arrived, Taesik headed to the Army test site in Gangwon-do, which was bustling with guests from the Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and the Army.
According to CEO Jo Yoon-je, the stakeholders were showing great interest because this was the first test evaluation where the Switchblade was being applied for aviation use.
The attendees asked the Starlink Aviation staff curious questions while looking at the box-type Switchblade launcher displayed alongside the utility helicopter, and the staff responded kindly.
"We will now begin the integrated test evaluation of the utility helicopter."
To save costs, the Army had decided to integrate the development and operational tests for the utility helicopter's armament, and today, they were conducting an integrated armament test for the machine guns and Switchblades mounted on the helicopter.
"Distinguished guests, please move to the prepared seating area."
Concerned for safety, the moderator moved the attendees to a distance, where TVs displaying the test site were set up.
"We will now begin the utility helicopter's machine gun fire and Switchblade live-fire training."
Following the moderator's signal, the utility helicopter started its auxiliary power unit and immediately engaged the engines. As the helicopter's propellers began to spin, the test site filled with the roar of the rotating blades.
A moment later, as the helicopter took off, the moderator began to explain the machine gun fire.
"Unlike other helicopters, this utility helicopter has excellent hovering capabilities. If the pilot inputs specific altitude information, it can hover at that altitude without the pilot's input, and it has less movement compared to other helicopters. We will now proceed with the machine gun fire."
As the signal was given, the 7.62mm machine guns mounted on the left and right sides of the utility helicopter began to spit fire, piercing the targets far in the distance.
The attendees didn't show much interest in the machine gun fire, and once the test for the machine guns on both sides concluded, the moderator spoke up.
"Next, we will begin the Switchblade live-fire test."
The moderator promoted the fact that the Switchblade mounted on the utility helicopter was an upgraded product from those previously delivered, featuring an uploaded AI program, and explained the mannequins placed on the target range.
"Unlike the ones previously delivered, the Switchblade currently mounted on the utility helicopter has the capability to automatically identify targets. It can identify enemy troops both day and night, and to assist in the test, we have equipped the mannequins with heating wires to maintain a temperature similar to that of a human."
Upon the controller's command to begin, the utility helicopter immediately entered launch preparation.
"*Crackle.* This is utility helicopter prototype number 1. Initiating launch of the anti-personnel Switchblade."
As the order was given, Warrant Officer Park Seung-chan, the co-pilot aboard the utility helicopter, grabbed the Switchblade control terminal and immediately pressed the launch key. Although the noise from the propellers was loud, the sound of the Switchblade being launched from the crew-station-mounted launcher was clearly audible.
Thump...!
The Switchblade launched to the left of the crew station, moved more than 2 meters away from the utility helicopter, and immediately deployed its wings while engaging its propeller. While Warrant Officer Park Seung-chan operated the Switchblade, the pilot, Major Lee Ji-hoo, moved the utility helicopter behind a mountain, and Warrant Officer Park Seung-chan confirmed the target area through the screen shown on the MFD.
"Enemy troops detected 200 meters ahead! Requesting an attack command."
When the controller received the radio transmission that Warrant Officer Park Seung-chan had detected enemy troops, he checked for any anomalies around the target area and gave the order.
"There are no anomalies on the ground. Begin the attack immediately."
Once the radio confirmed there were no issues at the target site, Warrant Officer Park Seung-chan pressed the self-destruct switch toward the mannequin that had been captured in the red box, and the Switchblade dove straight into the mannequin, causing an explosion.
The attendees cheered as they watched the screen linked to the MFD.
"Next, we will launch the second Switchblade. This time, we will launch it from a location where the target is not visible and proceed with the attack."
Warrant Officer Park Seung-chan, having received the order, launched the Switchblade from behind the concealed mountain, and a moment later, the Switchblade arrived near the mannequin, knocking it down and causing an explosion.
After finishing the anti-personnel Switchblade launch test, the utility helicopter landed at the test site, removed the anti-personnel Switchblade launcher from the crew station, and immediately installed the anti-tank Switchblade launcher.
CEO Jo Yoon-je, seeing the positive atmosphere among the attendees, waved his hand and gave instructions to the moderator, who began his commentary as soon as the utility helicopter took off.
"From now on, we will proceed with the anti-tank Switchblade launch test. With the cooperation of the Army, we have been provided with a decommissioned M48 tank, and we will conduct the attack assuming the helicopter has discovered the tank and is hiding behind a mountain as cover."
As the utility helicopter took its position in the sky using the mountain as cover, the controller began radio communications with the utility helicopter.
"Tank discovered 5km ahead! Attack immediately!"
Warrant Officer Park Seung-chan, having received the radio transmission, immediately launched the anti-tank Switchblade, which was launched with a louder sound of compressed air bursting than before. The Switchblade gained altitude and pointed its optical camera forward to search for the target, and Warrant Officer Park focused on the MFD showing the forward screen to locate the tank.
When the Switchblade arrived in the sky above the tank, the AI program displayed a red rectangle around the tank to indicate its presence, and Warrant Officer Park immediately radioed in.
"Enemy tank identified! Awaiting attack command."
The controller checked the safety status around the target area and immediately gave the order.
"Fire at will!"
Warrant Officer Park, having received the order, pressed the self-destruct switch, and the Switchblade, which had been flying in the sky, dove into the location of the M48 tank.
BOOM!
The M48 tank's turret was blown off, causing an explosion, and the participants applauded, marveling at the excellence of the Switchblade and the utility helicopter.
Once the test evaluation concluded, the officers immediately began asking the moderator questions.
"How many Switchblades can be mounted?"
"It is possible to mount up to 16 anti-personnel rounds and 9 anti-tank rounds."
"I saw earlier that you were mounting the anti-personnel and anti-tank types separately; can they be mounted in a mixed configuration?"
"If there is a request from the Army, we can modify the launcher to mount a mix of anti-personnel and anti-tank Switchblades."
"Earlier, you were identifying enemy troops and enemy tanks more easily than before; can the existing Switchblades also be upgraded?"
"Yes. You just need to upgrade the software. For reference, we do not plan to include the AI program in the export versions."
The attendees continued to ask questions about their curiosities, and CEO Jo Yoon-je was delighted as the helicopter equipped with the Switchblade received so much attention.