Chapter 158: AGE-01
Dojin Frontier, Executive Meeting.
Since I was attending, Park Cheol-jin began today’s presentation.
“I’ll start with the recent achievements.”
At Park Cheol-jin’s gesture, the person in charge displayed the materials on the screen.
“First, the construction performance. The NCC project, which we are focusing on the most, has exceeded 92% progress, and we have received excellent reviews from the Ministry of Defense for both the process and quality.”
Director Cha Dong-hyuk added,
“Thanks to the ultra-high-strength concrete and Mr. Kang’s efforts to boost the morale of the employees on-site.”
It wasn’t so much boosting morale as I was stuck on-site the whole time.
It would be more accurate to say that everyone was watching my reactions, lest they end up like Manager Jeong, who was in charge of formwork.
Anyway.
“It’s true that thanks to this NCC project, our company has gained significant attention both domestically and internationally.”
Representative Park Cheol-jin continued with a pleased expression.
“As Director Cha mentioned, we are consecutively securing large-scale projects overseas. We have received orders worth 3 trillion won this year alone in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and in major Asian countries such as India, Singapore, and Indonesia, several projects are pending final contracts.”
Park Cheol-jin continued his report, flipping through the materials.
“Domestically, in addition to the Dongtan New Town development, the construction of Dojin Tech’s new factories, including data centers, is in full swing. As a result, the construction sector’s revenue is expected to reach 48 trillion won, a 519% increase compared to last year.”
As soon as Park Cheol-jin finished speaking, applause erupted in the conference room.
Just looking at the construction performance, we have grown to the point where we can stand shoulder to shoulder with Cheongun and Ahsung.
“Does that figure include the ultra-high-strength concrete sales?”
“Yes. After the NCC project’s technical review, we announced the successful development of ultra-high-strength concrete to the press, and currently, we are generating external sales of 240 billion won annually.”
Although production is still limited, making overseas exports difficult, they stated that with the expansion of related facilities, full-scale exports would be possible starting next year.
“How is the construction of Dojin Tech’s new factories going?”
“As you know, Dongtan Plant 2 is already operational, and Plant 3 is under construction near the data center site in Pyeongtaek.”
The expected construction period is approximately one year.
The report also covered the status of the data centers.
“The Pyeongtaek and Chuncheon data centers are already completed, and Busan is also in the final stages. Additionally, center construction is underway in North America, Europe, and emerging Asian countries, but due to the distance, the schedule is somewhat delayed compared to domestic projects.”
I nodded.
“Since data centers will be the core infrastructure for various future businesses, please pay close attention to them.”
“Understood.”
Park Cheol-jin bowed his head from his seat.
This time, my gaze turned to Director Cha Dong-hyuk sitting next to me.
“Please report on the situation at the Advanced Technology Convergence Research Institute, which we established jointly with the Ministry of Defense last time.”
At my words, Director Cha Dong-hyuk immediately displayed the next slide.
The screen showed a list of major projects currently being promoted at the research institute.
- Autonomous Combat Drone Swarm System
- Hybrid Tactical Armored Vehicle Platform
- Long-Range Hypersonic Missile System (Baekrang-1)
- Comprehensive Battlefield Information Integration System (CODEX)
- Modular Assault Rifle AGE-01
All eyes in the conference room were fixed on the screen.
“Could you explain each one in detail?”
I knew the content to some extent, but since Seong-hwan and Chilbong didn’t, I instructed them to provide additional explanations.
“First, the Autonomous Combat Drone Swarm System. One pilot can wirelessly control up to 10 drones, and collective tactical actions are possible based on pre-set conditions. Currently, it is in the outdoor testing phase and is being piloted with the Ministry of Defense’s special operations forces.”
“What about the armored vehicle?”
“The second project, the Hybrid Tactical Armored Vehicle, is being developed with a dual-power structure combining diesel and electricity. It features heat signal suppression and semi-active operation modes, and with the application of new composite armor, it can withstand a direct hit from an RPG-7. Compared to the existing K200, it shows significantly improved mobility and protection.”
No matter how many times I heard it, it was still fascinating.
Director Cha continued his explanation.
“Next is the Long-Range Hypersonic Missile System, code-named ‘Baekrang (White Wolf).’ It aims for a speed of Mach 5.5 or higher, with initial guidance using inertial navigation and passive tracking in the final phase. Development is underway with the goal of a test launch in 2020.”
“How does it compare to similar systems from the US DARPA or China’s CASIC?”
When I asked, Director Cha Dong-hyuk hesitated for a moment before cautiously answering,
“It’s not yet at a comparable level…”
He slowly added,
“Hypersonic missiles aren’t just about flying fast. To maintain a stable trajectory at speeds exceeding Mach 5, entirely new levels of technology are required across all areas, including warhead material, aerodynamic design, thermal shielding systems, and guidance algorithms.”
I nodded.
“For hypersonic cruise, ramjet or scramjet engines are needed, but domestically, there aren’t even test facilities yet.”
“So, we plan to accumulate technology step by step, aiming for a test launch in 2020.”
It wasn’t an issue that could be easily resolved with words.
Even before the regression, Ahsung Defense had struggled with the same problem for a long time.
There was much more to say, but for now, I decided to listen to the explanation until the end.
“Next is the Comprehensive Battlefield Information Integration System (CODEX).”
As Director Cha Dong-hyuk flipped the screen,
a display appeared showing various elements such as operation maps, communication network configurations, and troop movement simulations in real-time.
“CODEX is a system that transmits information collected at the squad level to the division command headquarters in real-time and integrates and visualizes it.”
This project was the core task for which development was instructed first after the establishment of the Advanced Technology Convergence Research Institute.
Inspired by the Gothem platform used by the US Army, FBI, and CIA, it was still in the early stages of development even in the US.
However, when combined with artificial intelligence technology in the future, it would become a system with terrifying efficiency.
“What can this system do?”
Seong-hwan asked with a curious expression.
“The first phase of development aims to identify the positions of friendly and enemy forces, grasp real-time weapon deployment status, suggest operation route modifications, and conduct risk analysis.”
“So, it can’t make judgments like ‘attack’ or ‘retreat’ yet?”
Director Cha Dong-hyuk pondered for a moment before cautiously answering,
“…At this stage, it can only provide advice based on simple analysis. Judgments regarding attacks and retreats will require much more research.”
He was right.
There was still a significant lack of reliability and technical completeness to entrust such decisions to the system.
The same went for the core AI infrastructure.
“Instead, let’s add a certain level of automated analysis functionality based on conditions and rules.”
At my words, Director Cha nodded.
“That should be possible.”
“But ultimately, it needs to reach the level of suggesting tactical judgments.”
“…Yes.”
Director Cha Dong-hyuk still seemed unsure, but I knew.
Once the AI platform ‘Luna’ is completed,
his perspective would change.
Of course, it would take a lot of time to get there.
I looked back at the screen and pointed to an item.
“How far along is the last project, the AGE-01 rifle?”
“Before that, let me briefly explain what the AGE-01 is.”
It was a consideration for Seong-hwan and Chilbong.
“Go ahead.”
“The AGE-01 is a modular assault rifle. Depending on the operational environment, such as urban warfare, mountain warfare, or night operations, the barrel, stock, sights, and magazine system can be quickly replaced.”
The screen Director Cha flipped to showed the disassembly and assembly process of the firearm in 3D graphics.
“It is primarily based on 5.56mm ammunition but is also compatible with the next-generation 6.8mm rounds. Modular components like suppressors, thermal imaging sights, and folding stocks can be replaced on-site within just 30 seconds.”
“What about maintainability?”
Seong-hwan, a former army sergeant, perked up at the mention of the rifle.
“The parts are standardized, and trained soldiers can disassemble and maintain them in a short time. It’s designed for on-site repairs without tools, and compatibility with A2 parts has been improved.”
“Has the recoil improved too?”
“Thanks to the improved gas piston system and flash hider structure, recoil is reduced by 38% compared to the A2. Even low-weight soldiers or female personnel can use it without issues.”
I nodded.
“So, what’s the current status?”
“Among the ongoing projects, this one is the most advanced. Basic design and sample production are complete, and the design evaluation is scheduled to be finalized by the end of this month.”
“Once the design evaluation feedback is reflected, the mass-production model will be confirmed, right?”
To Chilbong’s question, Director Cha answered in the affirmative.
“Compared to the existing A2 rifle, what has improved?”
As Director Cha Dong-hyuk flipped the screen,
a performance comparison table between the AGE-01 and the existing A2 rifle appeared.
[AGE-01 vs. A2 Rifle Comparison Table]
- Recoil Reduction: AGE-01 38% improvement
- Barrel Replacement Time: AGE-01 32 seconds / A2 not possible
- Sight and Stock Replacement Flexibility: AGE-01 excellent / A2 limited
- Parts Compatibility and Maintainability: AGE-01 excellent / A2 average
- Total Weight: AGE-01 3.2 kg / A2 3.5 kg
- Durability Test (30,000 rounds): AGE-01 96.2% retention / A2 87.4% retention
“As you can see, the AGE-01 outperforms the existing A2 in most categories.”
Director Cha Dong-hyuk explained quietly.
“It’s lighter, has less recoil… the soldiers who tested it must have been quite satisfied.”
Hearing Seong-hwan’s mutter, Director Cha smiled.
“Indeed, many special forces soldiers who participated in the pilot test gave positive feedback, and the reactions from female personnel were particularly impressive.”
“If the Ministry of Defense plans to replace the A2 long-term, it could achieve quite good results…”
As I trailed off,
Director Cha Dong-hyuk cautiously continued.
“It’s already in progress. Under the name of the Next-Generation Individual Firearms Introduction Project, formal testing and evaluation are set to begin soon.”
“Is that really true?”
This was new information for me.
Recalling my memories, I realized that around this time, the Ministry of Defense was indeed working on such a project.
‘Wasn’t the A2’s successor the A2C?’
Sure enough,
Director Cha’s response was similar.
“Currently, the Ministry of Defense is preparing a field evaluation to select the successor to the A2 rifle. There’s a rumor that our AGE-01 and Ahsung Defense’s A2C will be designated as the primary comparison targets.”
“A2C?”
To Seong-hwan’s question, Director Cha immediately continued his explanation.
“The A2C is a digitally integrated assault rifle, an upgraded version of the A2. It has built-in optical sights, range finders, and ballistic calculation modules, along with a digital trigger system and communication-based synchronized firing functionality.”
“What about its performance?”
“At least at this stage, it is evaluated as superior to our AGE-01 in terms of aiming accuracy and long-range shooting precision. However, in terms of modularity, maintainability, and production cost, we believe we have the advantage.”
“Hmm…”
I rubbed my chin with one hand,
scanning the materials on the screen.
Our modular rifle had advantages in expandability and cost,
but Ahsung Defense, the top domestic defense company and 5th globally, boasted superior shooting precision thanks to its accumulated technology.
“But… isn’t shooting precision the most important thing in a rifle?”
As Seong-hwan said, no matter how well a rifle is made or how cheap it is,
it’s useless if it can’t hit the target.
So, I decided to modify some of the AGE-01 rifle’s design on the spot.