• Maritime Security
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.31-60
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• 2023

This study proposes a new convergence weapon system that combines the covert placement and detection abilities of a self-propelled mobile mine with the rapid tracking and attack abilities of supercavitating rocket torpedoes. This innovative system has been designed to counter North Korea's new underwater weapon, 'Haeil'. The concept behind this convergence weapon system is to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of each weapon type. Self-propelled mobile mines, typically placed discreetly on the seabed or in the water, are designed to explode when a vessel or submarine passes near them. They are generally used to defend or control specific areas, like traditional sea mines, and can effectively limit enemy movement and guide them in a desired direction. The advantage that self-propelled mines have over traditional sea mines is their ability to move independently, ensuring the survivability of the platform responsible for placing the sea mines. This allows the mines to be discreetly placed even deeper into enemy lines, significantly reducing the time and cost of mine placement while ensuring the safety of the deployed platforms. However, to cause substantial damage to a target, the mine needs to detonate when the target is very close - typically within a few yards. This makes the timing of the explosion crucial. On the other hand, supercavitating rocket torpedoes are capable of traveling at groundbreaking speeds, many times faster than conventional torpedoes. This rapid movement leaves little room for the target to evade, a significant advantage. However, this comes with notable drawbacks - short range, high noise levels, and guidance issues. The high noise levels and short range is a serious disadvantage that can expose the platform that launched the torpedo. This research proposes the use of a convergence weapon system that leverages the strengths of both weapons while compensating for their weaknesses. This strategy can overcome the limitations of traditional underwater kill-chains, offering swift and precise responses. By adapting the weapon acquisition criteria from the Defense force development Service Order, the effectiveness of the proposed system was independently analyzed and proven in terms of underwater defense sustainability, survivability, and cost-efficiency. Furthermore, the utility of this system was demonstrated through simulated scenarios, revealing its potential to play a critical role in future underwater kill-chain scenarios. However, realizing this system presents significant technical challenges and requires further research.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2011

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) present the important advantage of being able to approach the seafloor more closely than surface vessel surveys can. To collect bathymetric data, bottom material information, and sub-surface images, multibeam echosounder, sidescan sonar (SSS) and subbottom profiler (SBP) equipment mounted on an AUV are powerful tools. The 3000m class AUV URASHIMA was developed by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). After finishing the engineering development and examination phase of a fuel-cell system used for the vehicle's power supply system, a renovated lithium-ion battery power system was installed in URASHIMA. The AUV was redeployed from its prior engineering tasks to scientific use. Various scientific instruments were loaded on the vehicle, and experimental dives for science-oriented missions conducted from 2006. During the experimental cruise of 2007, high-resolution acoustic images were obtained by SSS and SBP on the URASHIMA around the northern Kumano Basin off Japan's Kii Peninsula. The map of backscatter intensity data revealed many debris objects, and SBP images revealed the subsurface structure around the north-eastern end of our study area. These features suggest a structure related to the formation of the latest submarine fan. However, a strong reflection layer exists below ~20 ms below the seafloor in the south-western area, which we interpret as a denudation feature, now covered with younger surface sediments. We continue to improve the vehicle's performance, and expect that many fruitful results will be obtained using URASHIMA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2009

The Nation Geodetic Reference System which presents a consistent location standard used in creating a map or developing national land is defined and managed by the law in a nation. Each nation had used its own geodetic system created by astronomical surveying until recently, when Geodetic Reference System(World Geodetic Reference System) has been developed and used to progress in space and satellite geodetic technologies. Korea also amended its geodetic law in December 2001, converting its national geodetic system whose reference an oval figure is Bessel ellipsoid into the World Geodetic Reference System which uses GRS80 ellipsoid as reference ellipsoid. Accordingly, the National Geography Information Institute improved law and systems related to the change for the effective conversion from its national geodetic system into the World Geodetic Reference System. In addition National geographic information institute of the results of various studies is drawn to the World Geodetic Reference System for switching technology-met some of the institutional foundation Despite of accordance with formalities, National geographic information institute, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs and some local government of the World Geodetic Reference System, and local government has or has not spread in public institutions. Therefore, in order to promote the switch to the World Geodetic Reference System, it is required to analyze current technical and institutional problems and obstacles of the switch to the World Geodetic Reference System and to present the resolutions and to establish policy to achieve them. Accordingly, for the promotion of the switch to the World Geodetic Reference System, this study analyzed the results of previous studies, the current state of the switch to the World Geodetic Reference System and the problems of the switch, and then offered technological and institutional supplements. Furthermore, it standardized the subject and type of the conversion, defined the scope of the tasks of the National Geographic Information Institute and its related organizations, and presented the policy direction for the overall use of the World Geodetic Reference System by 2010.