Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 125



Only Krnovel

Episode 125 – Self-propelled gun battleship

After hearing Dr. Kim Beom-jun’s explanation, I looked at Director Kim Jun-myeong in surprise. He was fiddling with the new bulletproof plate as if he had lost his mind.

“Composite multilayer materials such as Kevlar, carbon nanotubes, and boron carbide were used on the 1.2mm baritone plate.”

“…”

“As you said earlier, if we make an armored vehicle out of baritium without considering the cost, we can reduce the weight of the armored vehicle by more than half.”

“Wow, Doctor, I’m excited. Haha.”

“However, at the current level, it is not cost-effective since we can only produce one unit for the cost of producing over 100 units. Until the production cost is lowered, it seems appropriate to limit its use to personal protective equipment.”

“··· Doctor, is there anything else you need?”

“Ah, first of all, we need a large amount of electricity for future production.”

“Of course I will support that, and if there is anything you need personally, please let me know.”

“I have an abundance of everything, so I don’t really lack anything… but please buy me a fishing boat. Haha.”

“Yes, yes. Of course, I’ll do whatever it takes. And please take the necessary measures to protect the technology.”

“all right.”

I felt proud when I saw the first results from the OSS-ART lab.

Every single ground operation.

I was worried that there would be casualties, but it seemed like it would help ease that burden a little.

Also, if they were to wear the world’s best bulletproof system, it would be a great boost to morale as it would give the soldiers a sense of security and pride.

I was constantly imagining various ways to utilize the new materials and technologies developed by Dr. Kim Beom-jun’s team.

I imagined an invincible armored unit covered in baritinium. I was able to escape into a happy fantasy for a moment because of the baritinium.

Then suddenly,

Dr. Kim Beom-jun understood what I had only thought about a long time ago, and now I have faith that I can do it.

They called again.

“Doctor!”

“Sir, please speak.”

“There’s something I’ve only imagined. I’d like to hear your opinion.”

“Imagination is fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

“To put it simply, the K-9 self-propelled howitzer is deployed on the deck of a ship and used as a naval gun. It can perform coastal bombardment as well as the role of a battleship. Of course, there are many things to consider.”

“it’s possible.”

“yes?”

“I’ve had similar thoughts. I just didn’t have the position or power to try it.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I thought about it very specifically. I even outlined the ship’s specifications.”

“Wow~ If this works, we can use one self-propelled gun on both land and sea at the same time. It will be incredibly effective in landing battles.”

“Yes, but there are some conditions that must be met.”

“Please tell me what it is.”

“Yes. First of all, the ship must act as a stabilizer. The ship must be large in size and have a large draft.”

“I guess. If the boat rocks···.”

“Yes. The ship’s stability has a significant impact on the firing accuracy of self-propelled guns.”

“I guess so.”

“And the ship’s stability alone is not enough; the deck needs a device that can act as a kind of stabilizer.”

“Oh, I can just imagine something.”

“Haha. I think it’s important to design and build that compensation device efficiently and reliably.”

“Yes. Yes, and?”

“Finally, the self-propelled gun fire control system requires some software modifications.”

“Ah, like adjusting the shell group when firing a cannon···?”

“Yes, that’s right. Yes. We also need to compensate for the impact on moving targets. We also need to prepare for situations where the ship’s stability and stabilizers are insufficient. For example, rough waves or bad weather…”

“ah…”

“It is a timing system that fires the gun at the exact angle even when the deck is shaking.”

“Yes, is that possible?”

“Technically, anything is possible. It’s several times easier than making the bulletproof vest I showed you today.”

“Ohhhh”

“And one last thing. The self-propelled guns must be able to withstand the sea breeze and moisture.”

“Ah… But it would be difficult to develop a separate self-propelled gun like a carrier-based aircraft.”

“Alternatively, there are two ways.”

“Yes. Please tell me.”

“The first is to store self-propelled guns in a hangar below the deck, and then dissipate them on the deck when necessary.”

“I guess that is···.”

“The second is to put a cover on the self-propelled gun that is heated on the deck. Of course, it would be better if it were automatic.”

“If we’re going to do it, the second method would be better. Just thinking about it, it seems like there’s a lot that needs to go under the deck. Not only the reserve self-propelled guns, but also the ammunition and maintenance facilities…”

“If the ship is large and nuclear-powered, the second method is no problem.”

“So then, the conclusion is that all problems can be solved. Wow~”

“That’s right.”

“Oh! But why? Why haven’t other countries or armies tried this before?”

“No matter how good the concept is, if one person says, ‘Hey, that’s ridiculous,’ while going through numerous payment processes, the project is bound to fall through.”

“ah ···.”

“Even if people call me an idiot or crazy, if the project gets underway, I’ll feel a sense of accomplishment…”

“Due to the nature of the civil service organization…”

“Furthermore, if you fail or fail to achieve results quickly, you will face disadvantages in personnel matters…”

“…”

“The problem is that rather than coming up with new concepts, we only do research that improves what already exists or that has been ordered, that is, only safe research.”

“That’s the problem with Korea. There is no respect for researchers and engineers. Not to mention their treatment.”

Dr. Kim Beom-jun had a stern expression and said nothing, as if he had been concerned about something.

“Really! I always thought that those who developed submarines, missiles, and fighter jets with pride and conviction in such an environment were amazing.”

Perhaps thinking that my voice was a bit agitated, Dr. Kim Beom-jun changed the subject.

“And the fact that the weapons of the Army, Navy, and Air Force were developed with completely different concepts and organizations is also one of the big reasons.”

“ah …”

“The idea of ​​firing self-propelled guns on ships, as proposed by the President, would be laughed at by either the Army or the Navy.”

“That’s right. From the Navy’s perspective, it’s a ship for the Army, and the Army wouldn’t necessarily seek help from the Navy…”

“That’s why I think new weapons will only appear when we are in a state of war where fire is on our feet.”

“Yes. It was the same with the new weapons developed by Germany and Japan in the past. It was the same with the Manhattan Project that the United States put into practice.”

“Doctor! Let’s make this. A self-propelled gun.”

“I see. You’ve given me another interesting topic to think about, sir. Self-propelled artillery battleship! It’s a perfect fit for my taste. Haha.”

“We are also building a shipyard in Kiribati, so we will build our first ship as a self-propelled gun battleship.”

“…”

“Please organize the necessary specifications and discuss them with Hanwha Ocean officials. Don’t worry, the cost can be paid in units of tens of thousands.”

“I am truly happy every day because I can do research without worrying about the budget. Thank you, CEO.”

There was something I thought was fortunate while conducting the Crimean Peninsula landing operation.

If Russia had built even a small defensive line like Normandy during World War II, the operation would have been completely different.

If there was a defensive line made up of machine gun positions and coastal artillery bunkers along the long coastline of Yevpatoria, the 12 F-35Bs at the time were not enough to neutralize it.

Even firing missiles was tactically risky, aside from being cost-effective, because missiles are difficult to resupply.

In addition, self-propelled artillery battleships can maintain continuity of attack by landing self-propelled artillery after landing support is complete.

After finishing the conversation with Dr. Kim Beom-jun, I continued my pleasant imagination. Then, I confirmed that Director Lee of the Information Department had sent a report as a security expert.

To summarize the contents of the report:

It was a content that emphasized the need to expand OSS’s information assets in preparation for a drastic change in the relationship between North Korea and China.

The Korean Autonomous Prefecture in the Three Northeastern Provinces is the first autonomous prefecture established in China. It is home to 2 million Koreans and has a distinct identity from South Korea and North Korea.

He added that, unlike the Han Chinese, they have an open mindset and identity, but there is great social discontent because the three northeastern provinces have been excluded from China’s economic policies and central advancement.

Accordingly, it was said that it would be able to play a certain role in the event of a sudden change in North Korea-China relations, and that information assets should be expanded in preparation for that.

After reading the report, I tried to contact this manager.

“Manager, I have read your report carefully.”

“Yes. It was written by our China intelligence analyst. I sent it to you because you mentioned it.”

“Have North Korea-China relations become that distant?”

“You can guess this just by looking at North Korea’s recent attempts to join ESSO. It seems that they have a grudge against Russia because North Korea sided with Russia during the First Russo-French War.”

“Then, North Korea’s weighing of ESSO and China will only make the situation worse.”

“Yes, it seems like that has already happened. There is reliable information that China already knew about it and unofficially warned North Korea.”

“Um… How will North Korea react to the conditions I have proposed?”

“Well, it’s natural to be surprised. Surprisingly, the North Korean official I met seemed to be thinking positively. However, ···.”

“?”

“It seems that the North hesitates because it values ​​the determination of the highest authority and saving face more than logic.”

“So what do you think will happen if North Korea spends this winter without any support?”

“Based on our analysis, it seems unlikely that China will turn a blind eye to this. At the very least, they will provide the minimum amount of supplies needed by Pyongyang citizens.”

“What next?”

“There will probably be mass deaths and starvation throughout North Korea. There could be localized riots or a large number of refugees heading to the ceasefire line.”

“If it gets to that point, wouldn’t the North Korean regime collapse internally?”

“Everyone is expecting that. The intelligence agency has carefully examined it and….”

“…?”

“North Korea does not have the power to change its regime on its own. Paradoxically, it is because they are so poor. They do not have the capacity to gather the power of the people…”

“What if an outside force intervenes?”

“The most likely external force is China. If China were to openly support or assist a particular faction of North Korean power, a rift could develop.”

“Well, North Korea is in a situation where it has to catch either China or ESSO.”

…

Come under me!