The Technology
Introduction

Metal Storm's technology provides a means whereby objects, such as bullets that have been tightly grouped in multiple tube containers such as barrels, can be stored, transported in and electrically fired from those same containers. These containers or barrels can be grouped in any configuration, to meet any particular application.

The technology has no known equivalent, and can provide an electronically variable burst rate of fire, from conventionally slow to previously unobtainable rates, in excess of one million rounds per minute.

The technology was originally inspired by a desire to try to reduce the number of mechanical steps required to load, fire, eject and reload weapons. In a quantum leap Metal Storm takes ballistics from nineteenth century mechanical operations into the new millennium.

The Concept

Metal Storm's technology achieves its unparalleled performance through the concept of numerous bullets stacked in a barrel, with each bullet separated by a propellant load, such that the leading propellant can be reliably ignited to fire the bullet, without the resulting high pressure and temperature causing unplanned blowby ignition of the trailing propellant load, and without collapse of the projectile column in the barrel.

This unique concept has been accomplished through the invention of a bullet which on the one hand expands and locks in the barrel in response to high pressure immediately in front of the bullet. As a consequence, each bullet in turn can be fired in sequence from the barrel, and an individual barrel tube, loaded with numerous rounds and exclusive of any ammunition feed or ejection system, breech opening, or any mechanical operation whatsoever, when provided with an electric priming system is, in effect, a complete weapon.

Barrels can be grouped in any configuration required for a particular application, while remaining simple and compact, and have no moving parts, no separate magazine, no ammunition feed or ejection system. Excluding consideration of appropriate ancillary systems such as recoil control systems, target acquisition systems and turreting systems, the only moving parts in Metal Storm's barrel technology are the bullets.

Use of the Technology

As an effective military weapon system, the technology offers the safety of 100% electronic keying capabilities, the advantage of on-board selection of a non-lethal response capability, and in another form, the potential to provide an area denial capability without the use of conventional landmines.

The technology also has potential application in a range of diverse commercial areas, including fire fighting, fireworks, precision agricultural chemical distribution, fastening systems for use in the construction industry, and seismic surveying for minerals and oil.



Potential Military Applications
The variable rate of fire, multi-barrel, multi-calibre capabilities of Metal Storm technology has potential for numerous military applications, ranging from small arms to heavy calibre, as well as unconventional weapons systems of advantage, which are not presently available with existing mechanical systems.

The technology also has potential for the development of a new generation of weapons, for example, Metal Storm modules could be utilised in;


vehicle and ship self-defence

repeatable active armour

gun-capable unmanned combat aerial vehicles

out-of-atmosphere ballistic missile interdiction

biological and chemical cloud neutralisation

anti-cruise missile systems

Of the very large number of applications that have been identified for development in the future, the following prototype products are presently being developed for military and law enforcement evaluation:
AICW - an advanced individual combat weapon, equipped with a Metal Storm barrel using a range of projectiles including air bursting and kinetic rounds ( see announcement 29 May 2001)

ADWS - an advanced area denial and anti-personnel minefield replacement system
(see announcement 7 July 2000)

O'Dwyer VLe - a totally personalised, high performance 100% electronic handgun with access-limiting features. (see announcement 4 April 2000)

Vehicle Self Defence Program - identified for development under the Government-to-Government Agreement signed in 2000 between the Australian and United States governments. This collaboration is jointly evaluating Metal Storm technology for suitability in a range of military applications and for future development.
(see announcement 2 Nov 2000)

Also being developed is a commercial 'mortar box' for civilian applications, such as fireworks, firefighting, agricultural and mineral exploration systems.










HYBRID ELECTRONIC MECHANICAL COMBAT WEAPON (HEM)
The HEM Combat Weapon depicted is a two barrel hybrid concept. One of the barrels fires NATO 5.56mm ammunition, using a conventional mechanical system, and the other fires 20mm bursting ammunition utilising Metal Storm non-mechanical technology. We believe this hybrid combination provides a good balance between existing technology and new technology by providing enhanced capabilities from a compact and lightweight system.

ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL COMBAT WEAPON (AICW)
Similar to the HEM mentioned above, is the Advanced Individual Combat Weapon (AICW). Metal Storm recently announced details of funding for the AICW from the Australian Defence Force, under a Defence Capability and Technology Demonstration (CTD) Program. The CTD proposal initiated by Weapons Systems Division, Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO) plans to integrate the Metal Storm concept with the Individual Combat Weapon and a range of other technologies to fire 20/40mm bursting munitions in addition to NATO standard 5.56mm KE rounds.
The weapon will combine the fire power of two barrels, with the bottom barrel planned as an upgraded version of the current STEYR AUG Assault Rifle, firing standard 5.56mm NATO ammunition. The top barrel will add advanced capabilities to the weapon, being capable of firing different types of projectiles, ranging from potentially 20/40mm air bursting projectiles, to less-than-lethal projectiles. This barrel will incorporate Metal Storm's electronic ballistic technology, with the projectiles stacked in-line directly in the barrel.

The weapon is also planned to incorporate advanced day/night sighting and laser targeting systems, and a video link to a helmet mounted display. With one mechanical barrel and one Metal Storm 'stacked' barrel, this hybrid weapon will provide a range of new capabilities, including the ability to engage targets, which may be hidden from direct line of sight.

The AICW is being developed under a three-year research and development program undertaken by (DSTO), in collaboration with Metal Storm and other consortium members and will produce three fully operational AICW prototypes for further military testing.

The A$3.2m program adds to the existing research and development programs examining the possible use of Metal Storm for defence applications.











AREA DENIAL WEAPON SYSTEM

Finding an alternative to conventional landmines has become a high defence priority for governments around the world. The Ottawa Convention, which came into effect in 1999, prohibits signatories from producing and using anti-personnel landmines, and requires signatories to destroy national stockpiles of anti-personnel landmines by 2006. The Convention also requires that any minefield replacement system implemented must have a "man-in-the-loop", be command-initiated and not a victim-initiated indiscriminate weapon. By mid-2001 the Convention had been signed by 133 countries.

Metal Storm technology as a minefield replacement system is now undergoing serious evaluation by the Australian Army. The research and development work conducted with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) in Australia in recent years has progressed this concept to a stage where a Metal Storm Area Denial Weapon System (ADWS) is much closer to being a viable military reality.

Being developed in a program announced in July 2000 is a system based on the integration of multiple barrels grouped together in Metal Storm pods, a sensor system and a man-in-the-loop capability for command and control, fully compliant with the Ottawa Convention.

The Metal Storm ADWS landmine replacement system differs from conventional minefields in that it places no active explosives in or on the ground. Rather, the system works by positioning boxes or "pods" of massed barrels containing various payloads, which may be ammunition, cameras or non-lethal ammunition. A series of pods are placed on the ground and strategically positioned to cover a sector of a target area. Electronic sensors are positioned throughout the target area. The system is linked by transmitters to a single control unit, controlled and operated by the man-in-the-loop. Should the sensors in the zone alert the controller that there has been an entry or intrusion into the target area, the controller can determine the action required. If confirmed by the operator that the intrusion is a threat, each pod may then be electronically programmed by the operator to fire the appropriate response to suit the threat.

The Metal Storm ADWS minefield replacement system has many advantages over a conventional minefield:


it can be easily adapted to fire a wide range of payloads including sensors, cameras, and lethal and non-lethal munitions
the strength of response by the system can be determined by the operator and be varied to suit the threat
fully Ottawa Convention compliant - man-in-the-loop, command initiated system and not a victim-initiated, indiscriminate weapon
the fuse for the Metal Storm ADWS projectiles is being designed with a high probability of function (99.9%) with self-destruct function after a period of time, hence extremely low unexploded ordnance (UXO) levels
all functions of the system are determined and performed by a controller
the system is portable and when removed from an area after hostilities have ceased, no explosive devices are left in or on the ground, leaving the area clean with no threat remaining to civilians
View Metal Storm ADWS video



















O'DWYER VLe 100% ELECTRONIC HANDGUN
Metal Storm's O'Dwyer VLe handgun is a 100% electronic handgun. Its totally electronic firing system replaces conventional mechanical operating parts and loading mechanisms, allowing guns for the first time to fully benefit from modern computer technology.
Presently in the prototype stage, the seven shot single barrel, live firing O'Dwyer VLe handgun can fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, provide audible and electronic confirmation of the firing settings, and most importantly, has an in-built electronic security system to limit its use to authorised operators.

The VLe is designed specifically for use by specialist police teams and the military and provides unprecedented operational capabilities combined with the safety of advanced electronic security access features. (See the Video)



~www.metalstorm.com~

Yes I saw this in a documentary once. Incredible. It makes a large "beep!" sound when it fires because of it's insanely high rate of fire.

Yes the Aussie guy that developed it is a keen inventor.
Metal storm was supposed to bring in more income so he could spend more time in developing self cooling joggers!!!!
His father or grandfather was an aussie commando (z force?) who died fighting the Japs in the Pacific.
The Yank military at first accused him of using special effects in the demonstration video, wheras the Aussie military just didn't believ such a system could work.
Poor bugger had a big struggle to prove otherwise.
good to see its still going strong.

I nearly bought shares in Metal Storm, seemed like a good idea when I first read about the product (they had a share float), but now no military is really very interested and they are losing money badly.

i thought it was being looked at for ship point defence? a replacement for the phalanx system,

using it for area denial seems a waste...

Originally Posted by Warwick

Yes the Aussie guy that developed it is a keen inventor.
Metal storm was supposed to bring in more income so he could spend more time in developing self cooling joggers!!!!
His father or grandfather was an aussie commando (z force?) who died fighting the Japs in the Pacific.
The Yank military at first accused him of using special effects in the demonstration video, wheras the Aussie military just didn't believ such a system could work.
Poor bugger had a big struggle to prove otherwise.
good to see its still going strong.

I do not want to take the honour away from the inventor but the system is as old as muzzle loading rifles.
In fact these systems were the first machine guns and called something like "salvo guns". They were used at least in the Danish-German war in 18... (forgot the year).

I do not want to take the honour away from the inventor but the system is as old as muzzle loading rifles.
In fact these systems were the first machine guns and called something like "salvo guns". They were used at least in the Danish-German war in 18...

Operated by electricity, with no moving parts.... wow those Danes and Germans were ahead of their time.

Originally Posted by AussieNick

Operated by electricity, with no moving parts.... wow those Danes and Germans were ahead of their time.

The ignition system does not matter, the system was exactly the same. And yes, no moving parts. A big bunch of barrels stuffed with propellant and Projectiles in several layers. This is exactly what metal storm is doing just with an electrical primer (also invented about 150 ago).
Correct, they were smart.

I saw this on the discovery channel the other day. Its absolutely amazing. It has a fire rate of one million rounds per minute.

The ignition system does not matter, the system was exactly the same. And yes, no moving parts. A big bunch of barrels stuffed with propellant and Projectiles in several layers. This is exactly what metal storm is doing just with an electrical primer (also invented about 150 ago).
Correct, they were smart.

of course they were.