Metal Storm

Metal Storm. It is a rapid-fire weapon system that utilizes stacked projectiles and electrically fired propellant within a single gun barrel, eliminating traditional mechanical actions. The technology was invented by Australian Mike O'Dwyer and developed by the publicly traded company Metal Storm Limited. This design allows for an extremely high rate of fire, with prototypes achieving rates exceeding one million rounds per minute, and enables novel weapon configurations.

History and development

The concept originated in the 1980s from the work of inventor Mike O'Dwyer in Brisbane, Australia. Initial research and development were privately funded before attracting interest from the Australian Defence Force and international entities. A significant milestone was a 1995 demonstration for the United States Department of Defense, leading to further research contracts. The company Metal Storm Limited was incorporated and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange to commercialize the technology. Development efforts were later supported through partnerships with agencies like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the United States Marine Corps for specific applications. Despite technical demonstrations, the system faced challenges in transitioning from prototype to mass production and widespread military adoption.

Technology and operation

The core technology departs from conventional firearm designs by pre-loading multiple projectiles in series within the gun barrel, each seated in its own propellant charge. These stacked rounds are fired not by a striker or firing pin, but by an independent electronic ignition system. A computerized fire control system sends an electric current to ignite the propellant of a specific projectile in the sequence. This allows for precise control over the rate of fire and burst selection, from single shots to volley fire. The absence of breech mechanisms, ejection ports, or moving parts like bolts contributes to a potentially more compact and reliable weapon. Different calibers and barrel configurations, including superimposed load and multi-barrel arrays, have been tested.

Applications and variants

Developed prototypes explored diverse military and security roles. One major focus was area denial weapons, such as the proposed 40mm grenade launcher system for the Land Warrior program. Compact, high-rate-of-fire applications included testing of a 3GL triple-barrel grenade launcher and concepts for vehicle-mounted anti-missile systems. The technology was also researched for non-lethal applications, including crowd control launchers that could fire multiple bean bag rounds or tear gas canisters in rapid succession. Other conceptualized uses involved sentry guns, airburst munitions, and specialized naval point-defense systems to counter threats like swarm attacks.

Legal and commercial status

Metal Storm Limited held numerous international patents on the core technology, creating a significant intellectual property portfolio. The company engaged in licensing discussions with major defense contractors including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Financial difficulties, however, plagued the venture; the company was suspended from the Australian Securities Exchange in 2012 and entered administration, a form of bankruptcy protection. Its assets, including all patents and technical data, were subsequently acquired by the private equity firm Kohlberg & Company in 2013. The future development and commercialization of the technology under this new ownership remains unclear, with no known large-scale production contracts awarded.

In popular culture

The futuristic and extreme capabilities of the weapon system have led to its depiction in various video games and fictional media. It is featured as a high-tech weapon in the first-person shooter game Perfect Dark for the Nintendo 64. The technology also appears in the real-time tactics game Ground Control. Its conceptual design has influenced portrayals of rapid-fire weapons in other science fiction settings, often emphasizing its volley fire and electronic firing mechanisms. These appearances typically highlight its theoretical maximum rate of fire, aligning with its public perception as an advanced and formidable armament.

Category:Firearm actions Category:Rapid-fire weapons Category:Australian inventions