KRISS Participates in KADEX 2024

(Korea Defense Industry Exhibition)

- Expanding Defense Sector Collaboration Utilizing Advanced KRISS Technologies, Including Quantum Technology -

KADEX* 2024, The Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition, was held from October 2 to October 6, at Gyeryongdae**. Hosted by the Korea Army Association, KADEX is Korea’s largest defense industry exhibition and serves as a critical platform for showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in defense. This year, KADEX 2024 reached a record-breaking scale, with a total of 365 companies participating and 1,432 booths installed, proudly highlighting the excellence of Korea's defense industry technologies.

 

* KADEX (Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition): Hosted by the Korea Army Association, KADEX is Asia's largest defense industry exhibition. It promotes the strength of Korea’s army to the world and aligns with the rising stature of K-defense on the global stage.

** Gyeryongdae: The unified headquarters base for the Republic of Korea’s Army, Navy, and Air Force, housing the headquarters of all three military branches.

 

KRISS participated in this exhibition at the invitation of the Korea Army Research Center for Future & Innovation (KARCFI). Within the Army Headquarters' exhibition booth, KRISS showcased the 50-qubit superconducting quantum computer model, the KRISS-YB1 optical clock model, and the national standard time broadcasting station model.

▲ KRISS Key Research Exhibits

* (Left) Newly developed KRISS National Standard Time Broadcasting Station Model, (Center) Superconducting-Based 50-Qubit Quantum Computer Model, 

(Right) KRISS-YB1 Optical Clock Model  (Copyrightⓒ KRISS, KADEX 2024)

 

In particular, in addition to the previously exhibited quantum technology models, such as the 50-qubit superconducting quantum computer model and the KRISS-YB1 optical clock model, KRISS specially developed the national standard time broadcasting station model for this event.

 

Most advanced industries, including defense, broadcasting, and telecommunications, as well as daily life, rely heavily on precise time information derived from GPS signals. However, GPS faces significant limitations: it is difficult to receive signals indoors or underground, and it is highly vulnerable to interference. If signals are either not received or distorted, it could lead to severe consequences such as communication failures or power grid blackouts, potentially exposing the nation to wide-scale disaster. In particular, in wartime scenarios, GPS systems are at risk of being disabled by jamming attacks, such as those that could be launched by North Korea, making them unreliable in critical situations.

 

In contrast to GPS, a National Standard Time Broadcasting Station using long-wave transmission can broadcast signals over a vast area of more than 1,000 kilometers with just one transmission tower. As these waves can penetrate buildings, small receivers can capture time information anytime, anywhere, enhancing the efficiency and safety of military operations. This capability is anticipated to be highly beneficial in defense applications. KRISS has successfully acquired the technology for long-wave broadcasting stations through pilot projects. To promote the technology and highlight its potential defense applications, KRISS created a diorama model of the National Standard Time Broadcasting Station for exhibition at KADEX.

▲ National Standard Time Broadcasting Station Diorama

* Illustrates the difficulties faced in daily life and military operations when GPS fails to function due to North Korean jamming attacks, and the restoration of normal activities enabled by the operation of the longwave broadcasting station.

(Copyrightⓒ KRISS, KADEX 2024)

 

Throughout the weekend-long event, KRISS staff, led by researchers from the KPS National Time Group, actively promoted the exhibits. During the exhibition, numerous defense sector representatives showed significant interest in KRISS’s technologies, including quantum technology. In particular, there was strong curiosity about how quantum technology could be applied within the defense sector.

 

Recently, KRISS has significantly broadened its collaboration efforts within the defense sector. Notably, since November of last year, KRISS has hosted the Defense Quantum Specialization Center, which has fueled growing interest among defense officials in the potential applications of quantum technologies. In recent weeks, defense sector representatives have visited KRISS, where they had the opportunity to explore its research facilities and discuss future collaboration opportunities, particularly in the field of quantum technology.

▲ Group Photo of the ROK Army Training & Doctrine Command Delegation Visit (August 5, 2024)

(Copyrightⓒ KRISS, KADEX 2024)

 

KRISS’s efforts and activities to apply its quantum technologies into the defense sector are expected to expand further.

 

The defense field demands cutting-edge technologies to address rapidly changing environments and emerging threats. The collaboration between KRISS and defense institutions goes beyond simple technology exchange, it will significantly contribute to strengthening national security and defense. As the leading institution in quantum technology research in Korea, KRISS is anticipated to play a important role in advancing quantum science and technology for national defense, establishing a positive cycle of defense innovation, and fostering related industries for the future.