The Korean-Style Goalkeeper
Taesik and CEO Park In-tak began greeting the guests arriving one after another at the entrance of the test facility. From the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Brigadier General Jang Woo-chul appeared alongside his staff. The Brigadier General seemed pleasantly surprised to see Taesik, whom he hadn't expected to be there, and the two shook hands warmly.
"Thanks to you, Representative, the headache of the Goalkeeper depot maintenance issue has finally been resolved."
"It seems it must have been quite difficult since the production of the Goalkeeper was halted."
"Indeed. We couldn't find any solutions even when problems arose with the units already delivered, so we just held meaningless countermeasure meetings. I'm relieved that thanks to Starlink, we can solve both the performance improvement and depot maintenance issues at once."
"As a defense contractor, it is only natural for us to resolve the problems the military faces. More importantly, how is the Three-Axis System progressing?"
"Since the budget involved is massive, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) plans to lead the development of surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. By any chance, does Starlink have any intention of participating as a prototype contractor for the ADD?"
"I believe it is more efficient for us to focus on weapon systems that we can develop independently rather than participating as a prototype contractor for the ADD. I don't think there is a need to duplicate development efforts with them."
"Could Starlink Defense then provide the AESA Radar you possess to the ADD?"
"Are you thinking of applying it to the anti-air radar section?"
"Yes. It has many advantages over the existing mechanical radar, so the ADD is strongly hoping for Starlink's participation. If participating as a prototype contractor is difficult, would it be possible to at least provide the AESA Radar technology?"
At Brigadier General Jang Woo-chul's words, CEO Park In-tak interjected.
"Representative, this wasn't something I could decide on my own, so I was preparing to report it to you after this test evaluation."
"What is your take on this, CEO Park?"
"Since we already possess the core technology, we just need to proceed with optimization work while converting it for long-range radar use. We are in a position to support it by reassigning our existing engineers."
"Then let's provide only the radar portion. I think it would be best to coordinate the details with CEO Park In-tak."
Led by Brigadier General Jang Woo-chul, personnel from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Navy arrived one after another. In addition to high-ranking officials, many working-level staff from the Navy were in attendance. When news arrived that the barge had reached the test waters, CEO Park stepped out onto the podium in the hall and took the microphone himself.
"Distinguished guests, welcome to the field visit for the Korean-style Goalkeeper test evaluation. First, I will explain the specifications of the Korean-style Goalkeeper."
At CEO Park's words, the attendees stopped their murmuring and focused.
"The Korean-style Goalkeeper is 6 meters high, 3 meters wide, and weighs 10 tons. By adopting an AESA Radar and a 30mm Gatling gun, we have increased detection precision and ensured compatibility with the existing Goalkeeper."
As soon as CEO Park's explanation ended, Navy officials raised their hands to ask questions.
"You mentioned that you equipped it with an AESA Radar; could you provide additional explanation regarding the radar's performance?"
"The existing Goalkeeper is known to be able to detect targets from a distance of 30km, but in reality, it can only intercept if an enemy missile reaches within 1.5km. The Korean-style Goalkeeper can identify enemy missiles from a distance of over 100km, and can conduct interceptions from 2km, which is the effective range of the 30mm Gatling gun."
The attendees marveled at the expanded interception range, and CEO Park continued with his explanation.
"Because it is equipped with an AESA Radar, once an engagement with the first target is finished, it can engage the next target without going through re-detection and re-tracking. By incorporating AI software, it can perform interceptions by priority through risk assessment of multiple targets. Furthermore, the integrated electro-optical tracking equipment and automatic impact correction technology allow for the reduction of errors by adjusting the impact point against the target."
"Then, wouldn't it be possible to intercept not only subsonic missiles but also supersonic missiles?"
"Theoretically, yes. It is a pity that test evaluation is impossible as there are no supersonic anti-ship missiles in the country. It is regrettable that I have the capability but cannot demonstrate it."
At CEO Park's witty remark, the attendees began to laugh, and the Navy officer who had asked the previous question raised his hand again.
"At a speed of Mach 2, it advances 0.68km per second; is it really possible to defend against that with a Goalkeeper?"
To the serious question, CEO Park straightened his posture and replied.
"I told you that the Korean-style Goalkeeper is equipped with an AESA Radar and AI software, didn't I? Considering the effective range of the 30mm Gatling gun, you must respond within 3 seconds to intercept. If the AESA Radar detects it first and waits, it can fire a total of 210 rounds from the Gatling gun. Since automatic impact correction also happens in an instant, it is Starlink Defense's official opinion that interception of missiles up to Mach 2 is possible."
Feeling that CEO Park's wit was no joke, the attendees asked other questions.
"You mentioned it has compatibility with the existing Goalkeeper; is it compatible if we only replace the upper turret and radar?"
"Along with the turret, you must apply the software we developed. Whether we proceed with the part that needs to be linked with the combat system used on the ship, or the ship manufacturer does it, is up to you. It is possible as long as you open up the software to be linked."
At the news that Defense would take responsibility for resolving the linkage issues, the military officials turned their attention to the test evaluation.
"How will today's test evaluation proceed?"
"The first test will be conducted using a target drone to lower the risk, and for the second test, we plan to fire an actual Haeseong missile. For your information, we plan to fire the Haeseong missile from the Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, which the Navy has supported us with."
Looking at the screen showing the barge, the Navy officials asked,
"Then, you are mounting the Goalkeeper on a barge and having the Haeseong missile attack it directly? Isn't that too dangerous?"
"Please consider it a sign of how confident Starlink is."
While he was explaining the Korean-style Goalkeeper, news came that the test evaluation preparations were complete, and CEO Park In-tak asked for the attendees' understanding.
"It is said that preparations for the test evaluation are now complete. Let's observe the test evaluation first, and we will proceed with the remaining questions later."
As soon as CEO Park finished speaking, the controller grabbed the radio and gave the order, and the radio content was simultaneously transmitted to the attendees through the speakers.
"Proceeding with the first test evaluation. Confirm status of target drone and Goalkeeper!"
"Target drone, no issues!", "Goalkeeper, no issues!"
As the Goalkeeper's main power turned on, the Goalkeeper's display screen and the target drone's field screen began to be transmitted simultaneously through the TV where the attendees were located. The ADD's facility was optimized for test evaluation, allowing various data and screens to be shown at once, and the attendees focused on the screens they were interested in.
"Launch target drone!"
As the target drone was launched from the launcher borrowed with the Air Force's cooperation, the red target drone flew toward the sky, and the controller continued the explanation for the attendees.
"The currently launched target drone will circle the sea at a speed of Mach 0.8 and then approach the barge where the Korean-style Goalkeeper is installed at an altitude of 100m."
The target drone flew in the opposite direction of the barge and disappeared from view, and the radar screen of the Korean-style Goalkeeper on the barge showed the target drone heading toward the sea. The electro-optical camera tracked the target drone, and when it went out of tracking range, it continued to point the camera in the direction the target drone was heading. The controller provided additional explanation.
"The electro-optical camera is designed to work in conjunction with the AESA Radar to illuminate objects identified by the radar."
A moment later, the target drone, which had circled in the distant sea, began to approach the barge again, and as the target drone approached, the AESA Radar displayed the target drone as a red mark on the screen, sending a signal that an enemy was approaching. The electro-optical camera turned and began to illuminate the direction the target drone was approaching, and the staff member in charge of the radar began to send a radio transmission.
"Target drone distance 50km! Approaching at Mach 0.78!"
The Korean-style Goalkeeper turned its turret in the direction the target drone was approaching and began to capture the predicted interception point through fine angle adjustments. A moment later, the target drone entered within 5km, and the electro-optical camera illuminated the tiny object that looked like a dot.
"Target drone changing direction!"
The target drone, which had been flying in a straight line, changed direction slightly, and as the target drone's direction changed minutely, the Goalkeeper turned its turret again.
"Target drone distance 4km! 3km!"
Listening to the shouts of the radar staff, the attendees focused on the screen showing the electro-optical camera and the barge where the Goalkeeper was located, and as the target drone got closer to the Goalkeeper, some attendees stood up from their seats. As soon as the Korean-style Goalkeeper entered the effective range of the 30mm Gatling gun, it began firing immediately, and the Goalkeeper's ammunition feeding system emitted smoke from the barrels along with a rattling sound.
The Goalkeeper, capable of firing 70 rounds per second, fired 30mm shells for 1 second, and the object that appeared to be the target drone disappeared from the radar screen.
"Interception successful!"
With the words "Interception successful," the screen showing the barge and its surroundings, along with the electro-optical camera, showed the target drone disappearing into the 30mm shells, and the attendees applauded to celebrate the success of the first test.
As the first test succeeded, CEO Park In-tak stood up from his seat again and grabbed the microphone.
"Now, we will proceed with the live-fire test where the Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong fires the Haeseong missile."
The attendees looked surprised as they heard CEO Park's next words.
"The Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong plans to fire three Haeseong missiles simultaneously."
The attendees, who had expected one Haeseong missile, were shocked at the mention of firing three at once.
"Starlink purchased two Haeseong missiles, which cost 2 billion won each, and one was supported by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and DAPA."
Despite the concerns of government officials, CEO Park In-tak invested 4 billion won to purchase the Haeseong missiles the Navy possessed, and the Navy decided to sell two from their Haeseong missile inventory and use the money paid by Starlink to purchase two new Haeseong missiles. The Navy was able to conduct the live-fire test while consuming Haeseong missiles that had been in long-term storage, and Starlink was able to purchase the missiles immediately, so their intentions aligned perfectly.
"I kept it secret so that today's attendees would be surprised; is that alright?"
The Navy's working-level staff had never conducted an actual test evaluation using a Goalkeeper installed on an Aegis ship, and they were even more surprised because they hadn't even thought about attempting an interception against multiple targets.
"Excuse me... can the Korean-style Goalkeeper intercept three Haeseong missiles at once? The speed of the Haeseong missile is Mach 0.95, so isn't there a lack of time?"
"Hahaha. As I mentioned earlier, the effective range of the Goalkeeper is 2km, and the time it takes for a missile to reach the Goalkeeper from the effective range is 3 seconds. Considering the physical time, it is a bit short, but the Goalkeeper is equipped with AI-based software, and by starting to fire from 3km and correcting the impact point, we can extend the interception time."
The Navy officials began to exchange their opinions with each other, debating whether it was an impossible test, and CEO Park In-tak smiled slightly as the attendees murmured according to his intentions.
"Now! Let's proceed with the second test! The live-fire test!"