The Three-Axis System II
Taesik relocated to a conference room, gathering the three CEOs of his subsidiaries and summoning CEO Cha Youngjin of Starlink Deepmind. "I believe we’ve sufficiently covered the development plan for the Three-Axis System. Now, we need to discuss the extent of Starlink's involvement. Shall we start with Starlink Communication?"
At Taesik’s prompt, CEO Ryu Gwang-su spoke up. "Starlink Communication can handle the military satellite portion, but the problem is the launch vehicle. If not for the ROK-U.S. Missile Guidelines, I would suggest Starlink develop the launch vehicle ourselves."
"Is it feasible with our current manpower?"
"If we scout doctoral-level talent from Daehan University, which has a partnership with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, it shouldn't be an issue. But CEO, to bypass the ROK-U.S. Missile Guidelines, we would have to launch from outside South Korea. Are you truly planning to develop a launch vehicle?"
"Didn't the Defense Acquisition Program Administration give us a hint earlier? They said as long as it isn't in South Korea, it shouldn't be a problem."
"The Korea Aerospace Research Institute won't just sit idly by..."
"If they raise an issue, we can simply present the economic logic. A liquid-fuel rocket costs at least 200 billion won, whereas a solid-fuel rocket is sufficient at around 40 billion. Of course, costs will rise when considering launch sites and transport vehicles, but the comparison isn't even close."
"Ah! CEO, the launch site issue shouldn't be a problem."
"Our ground control staff is developing mobile control units. If we use mobile launch vehicles like North Korea does, we can reduce costs."
"Then let's have Starlink take charge of both the launch vehicle and the military satellite development."
"CEO, what if the Ministry of National Defense, fearing friction with the U.S., refuses to allow satellite payloads on solid-fuel rockets? We would have no way to recoup the development costs."
"We can simply divert the current launch requests we’re sending to Space Y to our own solid-fuel rockets. Let's get started."
"Understood. We will use the retained earnings of Starlink Communication to fund it."
"Next is Starlink Aerospace. Please accelerate the finalization of the next-generation aircraft and the Loyal Wingman development. The DAPA seems to have shifted toward introducing the F-35, and our aircraft procurement budget might end up being insufficient."
"CEO, there is a slight problem. Even if we develop the next-generation aircraft and the Loyal Wingman, we face a lack of armament. Currently, the only mountable weapons are short-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles."
Following Starlink Aerospace CEO Jo Yun-je’s remark, CEO Park In-tak of Starlink Defense spoke up.
"I apologize. Because Starlink Defense has so many weapons in development, we haven't been able to pick up the pace properly."
Looking at the apologetic Park, Taesik asked, "Have you reviewed the Dation missile data I brought you?"
"Yes. We have urgently deployed engineers to finalize the development requirements. We will complete the development of long-range missiles and HARM missiles in time for the deployment of Starlink Aerospace's next-gen aircraft and Loyal Wingman."
"CEO Park! What is the resource you are lacking the most right now?"
"Budget isn't an issue, as you have provided plenty, but we are severely lacking in manpower."
"Didn't I give you full autonomy over hiring?"
"We can hire as many entry-level staff as we want, but it’s not easy to find skilled, experienced engineers."
"Our salary packages aren't bad... is it the salary? Or the working conditions?"
"Hahaha. The Defense Research Institute is located in Gumi, so engineers are avoiding it. They want to work, but because it's in the provinces, they don't want to live apart from their families on weekends. Most reject the offer once they see the location."
"How about Starlink Aerospace?"
"It’s the same for us. Most join with dreams of working in the aerospace field, but since we are in the countryside of Sacheon, Gyeongnam, our turnover rate exceeds 30%."
Taesik, lost in thought for a moment, said, "How about we consolidate all our Starlink research centers into the metropolitan area?"
"What do you mean...?"
"If we can't recruit engineers because of the location, let's move the location. How about creating a research complex in Pangyo or Hanam?"
At Taesik's declaration, CEO Park In-tak replied, "We are already short on budget for weapons development; will we be able to secure real estate?"
"Hahaha. It will be enough. I will review suitable locations. Now, regarding the engineer issue, we'll solve it by moving the research centers. What about the rest of the weapons development?"
"The high-power laser weapon development is not yet producing sufficient output."
"How much is it?"
"The detection part is solved by the AESA Radar, so there are no issues there, but the output is only at the 20kW level. The range is about 5km, which is still insufficient."
"5km... let's develop it in stages and enter system development. We can adopt a progressive development framework."
"Compared to the currently deployed K31 Cheonma, the range is only two-thirds. Is that acceptable?"
"Considering the advantages of high-power laser weapons, it is sufficient. The missile for the Cheonma costs 300 million won, while a laser weapon costs less than 10,000 won, doesn't it?"
"That’s true excluding the introduction cost, but... will the military accept it?"
"I will handle that. Please create a prototype for test evaluation. And what about the missile development led by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses?"
"We must participate as a prototype manufacturer, of course. Either KIG Nexone or we have to develop it; we cannot miss this opportunity."
"Understood. Then I will delegate the bidding issue for the defense institute to CEO Park."
"And..."
"Why? Is there another problem?"
"The development of the Korean-style CIWS (Close-in Weapon System) is complete. While we were developing it, the Goalkeeper was discontinued, and Dation, the producer of the Phalanx, doubled their prices."
"The Navy must be anxious."
"Yes. When we leaked the news that we were developing a CIWS to replace the Goalkeeper, they started asking for maintenance support for the existing Goalkeepers. Fortunately, they use the same type of 30mm autocannon, so support is possible."
"Then how about upgrading the existing Goalkeepers after completing the test evaluation?"
"Ah! If the performance of the CIWS we developed is better, the Navy will welcome it."
"How is the development of the hypersonic anti-ship missile that I ordered for exploratory development last time?"
"We finally found a way to solve the thermal problem in case of entering hypersonic speeds. If we coat the titanium material with ceramic substances, we can solve the heat problem that occurs during hypersonic entry."
"What did you decide to do about the missile attitude control?"
"We decided to apply thrust vectoring technology. It allows for faster turning than existing missiles, but due to speed issues, sudden turns like those of guided missiles are impossible."
"How long will development take?"
To Taesik's question, CEO Jo Yun-je stepped forward. "Actually, we are developing ramjet and scramjet anti-ship missiles simultaneously, so we need more time. I will report the detailed issues separately."
"Understood. Let's see it again once the contents are organized later."
While South Korea was developing a response system due to North Korea's nuclear tests, North Korea continuously pushed forward with missile tests, and South Korea, amidst political chaos, saw its female president impeached and a president elected from the opposition party. The new president delivered an inaugural address with keywords of communication and integration to soothe a South Korea divided by the impeachment, and ran around busily to solve domestic problems that had become a mess due to the impeachment issue. North Korea took this as an opportunity to continuously conduct missile tests, and in July 2017, it launched an ICBM called the Hwasong-14.
Starlink monitored the launch preparation situation along with the National Intelligence Service, but the new president did not approve the operation to intercept North Korea's ICBM launch, and North Korea succeeded in launching an ICBM with a range of 10,000km.
The moment the news that North Korea had launched an ICBM decorated the breaking news, NIS Section Chief Choi Jae-ho received an urgent call at Starlink's ground control station regarding news coming in through diplomatic channels.
"W-what did you say...?"
"Director. Can't we start the operation to intercept North Korea's ICBM even now? Unlike South Korea, the U.S. is a nation that lacks patience."
[That is not possible. The President did not permit it.]
"Then isn't there nothing we can do?"
[I need you to show evidence that South Korea is controlling North Korea's ICBM problem.]
"Doesn't the U.S. already know the information we know?"
[You must explain the operation details used to remove the North Korean missile last time and send a diplomatic message that we can catch North Korea's missiles at any time.]
"Isn't it impossible if North Korea uses mobile missile launchers?"
[Explain that the military satellites to be launched in the Three-Axis System will handle that, and we must block a direct attack on North Korea. As you know, if the U.S. attacks North Korea, North Korea will attack South Korea using the multiple rocket launchers and mobile missiles deployed in underground fortresses! You must go to the U.S. yourself.]
"...Understood. I don't know if the U.S. will accept our opinion, but I will proceed with the explanation for now."
Section Chief Choi Jae-ho called the agents next to him, gave instructions to organize the data collected this time along with the results of the previous Musudan missile removal operation, and hurriedly visited the U.S. Embassy. Upon arriving at the embassy, Section Chief Choi met urgently with Serin Wornell, the CIA Korea Branch Chief, along with other agents. Serin Wornell was a Korean-American who had been in charge of the Korea branch since last year, and had exchanged information with Section Chief Choi through several contacts.
"What brings you here, Section Chief Choi, who is in charge of North Korea affairs?"
"You know everything, don't you? I want you to stop the U.S. Department of Defense's North Korea strike plan."
Serin stiffened at Section Chief Choi's request. "Section Chief Choi. We are an information-gathering organization, not an agency that decides on war."
"I know. But can't you provide an opinion to the Department of Defense and the White House?"
"Is there a reason I should do that?"
At Serin's counter-question, Section Chief Choi placed the prepared materials on the table. Looking at the materials on the desk, Serin asked, "What is this...?"
"It is the North Korean missile removal operation report. South Korea possesses the capability to remove North Korea's ICBMs, and we will ensure that an ICBM never reaches the United States."
"Oh ho! Is this an operation-related report? I heard that you mobilized South Korean submarines to carry out the operation... what was the weapon removed?"
"We used a Switchblade Type A of unidentified nationality for the operation."
Serin threw the report back onto the desk. "This is merely a means of removal for fixed targets. How do you intend to remove mobile launchers?"
"We intend to identify them using the military satellites to be used for the construction of the Three-Axis System. In any case, it will take time for North Korea to develop mobile launch vehicles, and it is a problem that will be solved if South Korea launches military satellites in the meantime."
"Even if that is the case, how do you intend to handle the SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile) that North Korea is developing?"