BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (NASDAQ: MTSX) has completed further live
fire trials of its 3GL 40mm three shot grenade launcher mounted to
an M16 assault rifle. The trials were designed to provide baseline
data for the 3GL and munition-enhancement program.
The 3GL three-shot grenade launcher is a world first, being the
only 40mm launcher light and compact enough to attach as an
accessory to an assault rifle, while also providing a three shot
semi-automatic fire capability. The 3GL effectively trebles the
reactive grenade firepower of an infantry squad, making it a
compelling upgrade to improve the safety and effectiveness of
ground troops worldwide.
The objectives of the two day live firing were to:
-- Provide initial test data on how the M16 and 3GL perform as a system
-- Test recoil effects when mounted on the M16 without recoil mitigation,
both in terms of shock effect on the weapon and any resulting effect on
warhead trajectory or detonation
-- Prove that the weapon, when mounted to an M16, could safely arm
grenade fuses on three stacked munitions fired consecutively.
The live fire trials were successful in meeting the above
objectives. Over 120 rounds of inert, fused safe & arm and
enhanced-blast thermobaric (EBX) grenades were fired, with high
speed and conventional cameras recording the event for engineering
analysis purposes.
Metal Storm CEO Dr Lee Finniear said this had been the Company's
first opportunity to fire live rounds from the 3GL mounted to an
M16.
"I was very pleased with the way the 3GL performed when mounted
to the host weapon," Dr Finniear said.
"We tested the weapons on both a recoil mitigated bench
(simulating shoulder firing) and on a solid test rig where the full
shock of recoil had to be absorbed by the weapons. The 3GL did a
great job handling the full recoil shock over an extended firing
sequence."
The tests also proved that the 3GL on an M16 could activate
fuses inside three stacked munitions fired consecutively.
"This was an important test for us," Dr Finniear said. "We knew
from earlier trials in Australia that our muzzle velocities were
right for fuse activation, but we had to prove we could really do
it with the 3GL mounted on its host weapon."
The 3GL succeeded in arming all three rounds in stacks of three
safe & arm warheads and also armed mixed stacks of safe &
arm and enhanced-blast thermobaric warheads, first in standalone
mode and then mounted on the M16, thereby achieving the objectives
set for the test.
One area where the team did find room for improvement was in how
the propellant charge inside the rounds was sealed against
humidity.
Project Leader for 40mm Munitions Daniel Green said: "Our firing
location was on the equator with 100% humidity and we were firing
during a two-day tropical rainstorm. On Day 1 we observed that the
excessive humidity was resulting in inconsistencies in the way our
munitions were performing, and this significantly delayed the
firing schedule. The problem was mitigated overnight and on Day 2
the results improved." Since its return the engineering team has
revised the design to completely eliminate the issue.
On approval, Metal Storm will be releasing video footage of the
3GL firing stacked grenades on the M16 during the live firing
program. Dr Finniear noted that while the firing achieved all of
its engineering objectives in the limited timeframe, the team would
have benefited from more time at the range.
"In any live explosive firing safety is paramount," Dr Finniear
said. "You just can't short circuit the process and risk lives.
Each firing sequence builds on the last proving each step from
simple to complex is safe. We had originally intended to build up
through the two day test plan to complete the engineering tests,
then build up to a non-engineering 'marketing video' shoot of 3GL
firing 3 EBX warheads in rapid succession off the M16. However,
with the humidity issue impacting Day 1, on Day 2 we met our
engineering objectives, and then progressed to the point of firing
2 EBX and one safe & arm in rapid succession from the M16
before the range closed."
Over the coming nine months Metal Storm and its partners will be
doing many more live fire trials as each qualification step for 3GL
and Metal Storm 40mm ammunition is completed.
Notes:
Metal Storm's Australian Stock Exchange trading code: MST
Metal Storm's NASDAQ Small Cap ticker symbol: MTSX
About Metal Storm
Metal Storm Limited is a multi-national defence technology
company engaged in the development of electronically initiated
ballistics systems using its unique "stacked projectile"
technology. The company is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia and
incorporated in Australia. Metal Storm Limited technology and
products are represented in the USA by Metal Storm Inc., which has
offices in Arlington, Virginia.
Metal Storm is working with government agencies and departments,
as well as industry, to develop a variety of systems utilising the
Metal Storm non-mechanical, electronically fired stacked ammunition
system.
Metal Storm's weapon technology uses computer-controlled
electronic ignition and a system of stacked projectiles to achieve
a completely non-mechanical gun that is very lightweight and
compact, providing a very high firepower to weight ratio. The Metal
Storm weapons system utilizes multiple barrels mounted together on
one platform which allows varying munitions types to be deployed in
a single, low cost, lightweight weapon system. Firing the weapons
by electronic ignition requires no moving parts, allowing reliable
long term unattended weapon operation.
Safe Harbour
Certain statements made herein that use the words "estimate",
"project", "intend", "expect", "believe" and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks
and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the company to be materially different from
those which may be expressed or implied by such statements,
including, among others, risks or uncertainties associated with the
development of the company's technology, the ability of the company
to meet its financial requirements, the ability of the company to
protect its proprietary technology, potential limitations on the
company's technology, the market for the company's products,
government regulation in Australia and the US, changes in tax and
other laws, changes in competition and the loss of key personnel.
For additional information regarding these and other risks and
uncertainties associated with the company's business, reference is
made to the company's reports filed from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Form
20-F.
Company Contact: Australia & USA Dr Lee Finniear Chief
Executive Officer Metal Storm Limited Ph: +61 7 3123 4700
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