The American Expansion
"You didn't mention anything to me, but she was complaining about you, Taesik."
"...My mother? What did she say?"
"She said that if you were going to quit your studies and come back to Korea, you should at least visit home more often instead of being a good-for-nothing who doesn't even show his face."
"Hahaha."
Taesik laughed at his mother's bickering. Since he had only visited his hometown once after dropping out of his studies in the U.S., he knew he deserved the criticism.
"What did she say to you, Miso?"
"She thanked me for staying in touch in place of her 'good-for-nothing son,' and told me we should eat together often. She also asked me to bring you home for a visit."
"Since we're on the subject, shall we go tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow...?"
"You have to head to the U.S. soon, Miso. I'll go with you after I pay my respects at home."
"Are you going to look at the UAM factory site together with me?"
"No. I intend to negotiate with Raytheon regarding the introduction of missile technology. Relying solely on Starlink Defense isn't yielding results as quickly as I'd hoped."
"That's a shame. Still, I'm glad we're at least traveling to LA together."
The two enjoyed a light date while eating galbitang, discussing Taesik's upcoming visit home and the tasks awaiting them on their U.S. business trip. The next day, after finishing their work, they bought a fruit basket and headed to Taesik's house. His mother welcomed Miso warmly. Taesik walked in while getting smacked on the back by his mother, while his father, clearly pleased with Miso, smiled and offered her a seat. His parents asked about Miso's family, and they were shocked to hear that she was the third daughter of the Misung Group.
"Is it really okay for a daughter of the Misung Group to be seeing our son?"
His parents expressed concern about the status gap, but they were even more surprised by Miso's response.
"While the scale of the company Taesik runs is currently smaller than Misung Group, its growth potential is much higher. Besides, we are seeing each other without considering such conditions."
When they heard the total revenue scale of Starlink, his parents were even more stunned, and his mother smacked Taesik on the back once more.
"You rascal! You should have at least told us what kind of work you were doing out there..."
Taesik laughed and pulled out an envelope to give to his parents.
"What is this...?"
"I'm getting married soon, and I put some money in there for your living expenses."
His mother opened the envelope without much thought, but upon seeing the unexpectedly large sum, she was shocked.
"This isn't just pocket money... this is enough to buy a house..."
"It's money for you to move if you're uncomfortable where you're living now. Also, Miso's father is in poor health, so I think we should get married soon."
Having heard about the Misung Group chairman's condition through the media, his father nodded.
"If the health of your future in-law is a concern, you should hold the ceremony immediately. When are you thinking of having the wedding?"
Taesik looked at Miso's face before answering.
"I plan to set the schedule after I return from this U.S. business trip."
The two talked with his parents until late at night. As they left the house, Miso let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Miso, what's wrong? Was my house uncomfortable?"
"How could I be comfortable in front of my future parents-in-law? Do you have any idea how nervous I was...?"
"Hahaha. My parents aren't the type to be picky about things like that..."
"It was our first meeting, I had to make a good impression."
The next day, Taesik summoned President Jo of Starlink Aviation and President Park of Starlink Defense to Seoul. The two arrived at the office, curious about the sudden meeting.
"I'm planning to go on a business trip to the U.S. I intend to purchase the source technology for the missiles to be mounted on the Loyal Wingman and next-generation aircraft currently under development at Starlink Aviation. I need your opinions."
At Taesik's words, Park In-tak, the CEO of Starlink Defense, wore an apologetic expression.
"I apologize. Since the development of the air-to-air missile, the development speed of other missiles has slowed down."
"It's fine. I know it's inevitable since we are developing so many weapon systems at once."
"We intend to purchase the necessary source technology from Raytheon. What technologies do you need?"
Instead of CEO Park, who was lost in thought, CEO Jo Yoon-je answered.
"Short-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles are sufficiently covered by domestic development, but we need long-range missiles and anti-radar missiles."
Following Jo Yoon-je's words, Park In-tak added,
"With our current technical capabilities, the development of long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles seems possible. However, the AGM-88 HARM missile is impossible to develop with domestic technology alone."
"Because of the radar frequency information, right?"
"Yes. The principle itself is simple, but we cannot obtain the radar frequency information used by hostile nations, making development impossible. Since we haven't yet collected North Korea's radar frequencies, we have no choice but to rely on the U.S."
"What about hypersonic anti-ship missiles and high-power laser weapons?"
"Hypersonic anti-ship missiles could be solved if you give us time, but I understand that even the U.S. is still in the conceptual research stage for high-power laser weapons."
"Then, would it be sufficient if I only bring back the HARM missile information this time?"
"Yes. We will try to increase the development speed of the other missiles."
"Understood. And President Jo Yoon-je, I'm thinking of selling the Valkyrie UAV to the U.S. Would that be okay?"
"I understand the U.S. already possesses a significant number of UAVs. Do you think it's possible?"
"We have to negotiate first. Please let me know if there's any technology you need from the U.S. at any time."
After finishing the meeting, Taesik prepared for the trip with Miso and departed for the U.S. Upon arriving at LA airport, Taesik said goodbye to Miso and headed to Massachusetts, where Raytheon's headquarters were located. He met with Oliver, the Sales Director, and Mason, the Research Institute Director, for the first time in a while.
"Mr. Kim! How long has it been?"
"I hope you've both been well?"
"We heard you founded a defense company in Korea... how should we address you?"
"Call me whatever you're comfortable with."
Oliver, the Sales Director, cleared up the titles.
"I will call you CEO Kim. I heard the revenue scale of the defense company you founded in Korea is significant. You'll be catching up to Raytheon soon."
"That's impossible. There's still a significant gap between us and Raytheon."
"Thanks to you, CEO Kim, Raytheon is comfortably outpacing Northrop Grumman in revenue. Although we couldn't surpass them in the F-22, we were able to integrate AESA radars into the F-16 and F-15."
"I was also able to found my company in Korea thanks to Raytheon."
"I heard you want to uphold the contract terms we made during the last AESA radar sale..."
"Yes. I want to purchase the radar guidance technology used in Raytheon's AGM-88 HARM missiles."
"Doesn't Starlink Defense already possess anti-radar missile technology?"
"We do have the technology. However, we don't have the radar frequency information of hostile nations. That's why I want to purchase the frequency information along with the radar guidance technology."
At Taesik's words, Mason, the Research Institute Director, stepped in.
"CEO Kim, you know that HARM missile technology requires export approval from the U.S. government, right?"
"Of course. I'm hoping Raytheon will lend us their support."
"Oliver, it sounds like you're going to have a headache. If Starlink purchases the technology, you're creating a competitor..."
At Mason's words, Oliver replied,
"Since he bought the AESA radar at a high price last time, we should raise the price this time. We'll have to analyze the selling price ourselves, but he should be prepared."
"Hahaha. By the way, is Raytheon interested in UAVs?"
"Suddenly, a UAV?"
"Starlink Aviation has developed a 3-million-dollar UAV called the Valkyrie. It's capable of formation flight and operations deep within enemy territory. If we mount the armaments Raytheon produces onto the Valkyrie, I think the U.S. government would be interested."
"Is it the same type as the MQ-9 Reaper?"
"It's a completely different concept. It's an aircraft capable of more dangerous missions by entering deep into enemy territory in formation with aircraft like the F-22. The F-22 acts as a sensor to detect the enemy, and the stealth-equipped Valkyrie can act as the shooter. In extreme situations, it can also be used as a defensive aircraft to intercept enemy missiles."
"Are you asking us to attach Raytheon-produced armaments to the Valkyrie and supply it to the U.S. military?"
"Yes. To avoid U.S. industrial protection laws, Raytheon's cooperation is necessary."
"Then what should we receive in return?"
"..."
"Ah! Don't tell me you intend to take the HARM missile technology?"
"As expected, Director Oliver is quick to judge. We provide the Valkyrie, and Raytheon sells the armaments that go into it. Doesn't that sound reasonable?"
"Would you be willing to disclose the flight software that goes into the Valkyrie to us?"
"I can open up everything related to armament integration. The main software, of course, cannot be disclosed."
"Hahaha. This was my chance to recover the price you paid for the AESA radar last time... it's not easy."
"So, what do you think? Are you interested?"
Oliver straightened up at Taesik's question.
"If you give us exclusive rights for sales, I will accept."
"I will only give you exclusive rights for the U.S. military. We have to export to other countries outside the U.S. ourselves."
Taesik decided to send one Valkyrie to Raytheon first, and Raytheon decided to prepare for a test evaluation with the U.S. Department of Defense. Since Taesik was a foreign national, he could not participate in the Department of Defense's test evaluation, so they signed an agreement for him to support Raytheon from behind the scenes. Having signed the agreement with Raytheon, Taesik headed back to LA to meet Se-in of Starlink Maps.
"CEO! How long has it been? It's so good to see you in person after only talking on the phone every day."
"Se-in, have you been well?"
"Are you asking about my well-being? Or are you asking about the management situation of Starlink Maps?"
"Well, both."
"Hahaha. The app we made is incredibly popular these days. As smartphones have become mainstream, the number of downloads has exceeded 100 million."
"It's popular because it's a user-participatory app with high accuracy, right?"
"Yes. Users have improved the completeness of the maps and updated information on traffic jams and locations, so many companies are inquiring about advertising."
"Excluding advertising revenue through Google, how much is coming in?"
"Don't be surprised. We are getting over 100 million dollars in advertising revenue from the app alone."
"Has Google said anything?"
"Google is also moving to provide a separate map service. They secretly asked me if Starlink Maps could be sold, and when I showed my refusal, rumors started circulating that they are inquiring about electronic map companies that can be acquired."
"Google will likely provide a separate map service because of the scalability of electronic maps."
"It's a shame, as the advertising revenue we could squeeze out of Google is significant."
"Instead of Google, we can provide electronic map services through the app and collect advertising revenue."
"Ah! Miso asked me to introduce her to a government official in charge of industrial investment in California... what kind of business are you preparing?"
"We are preparing for the UAM business I mentioned before."