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Metal Storm Limited is a research and development company that specializes in electronically initiated stacked projectile weapons technology. Metal Storm is both the name of the company and the technology. Image File history File links MetalStormLimited. ...
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Mr Terence James O’Dwyer, a Chartered Accountant, was a partner at BDO Kendalls Chartered Accountants for 28 years. ...
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The company is based in Brisbane, Australia with a subsidiary in Washington DC, U.S.A. Metal Storm owns the proprietary rights to the electronic ballistics technology invented by J. Mike O'Dwyer. Brisbane (pronounced ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, as well as the third largest city in Australia, with a greater metropolitan population of 1. ...
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James Michael ODwyer, a former grocery wholesaler, is an inventor from Queensland, Australia. ...
Technology The concept of stacked projectiles (multiple projectiles loaded nose to tail in a single gun barrel with propellant packed between them) predates Metal Storm. Roman Candles, a traditional firework design, employ the same concept. However, in the case of Roman Candles the propellant which propels the leading projectile from the barrel continues to burn in the barrel, igniting the charges behind each subsequent projectile in turn, ensuring that all projectiles in the barrel are discharged sequentially (and inevitably) following from the single ignition. Various methods of separately firing each propellant package behind stacked projectiles have been proposed which would allow a 'single shot' capability more suitable to firearms.[1] This article does not cite its references or sources. ...
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Mike O'Dwyer, an Australian inventor, observed that these methods did not eliminate the problem of unintended propellant ignition caused by hot gases 'leaking' back up the barrel. Mike O'Dwyer's original Metal Storm patents demonstrated a method whereby projectiles placed in series along the length of a barrel could be fired sequentially and selectively without the danger associated with unintended propellant ignition.
In the original Metal Storm patents the propellant immediately behind the projectile closest to the muzzle of the gun barrel was ignited by an electronically fired primer, the projectile was set in motion, and at the same time a reactive force acted on the remaining stacked projectiles in the barrel, pushing them backwards. By design, the remaining projectiles would distort under this load, expanding radially and sealing against the gun barrel wall. This created a seal which prevented the hot propellant gases (expanding behind the lead projectile) prematurely igniting the remaining propellant charges in the barrel (blow-back). As each of these propellant charges was selectively (electronically) ignited, the force 'unlocked' the projectile in front and propelled it down the gun barrel, and reinforced the radial expansion (and hence the seal) between the projectiles remaining in the barrel and the barrel wall.
The stacked projectile and electronic ignition technology eliminated the need for cartridges (shell casings), and for essentially all of the moving parts associated with traditional guns. With Metal Storm, the barrel is the weapon. The 4. ...
Subsequent designs discarded the 'distorting shell sealing against the barrel' concept in favor of containing the propellant in 'skirts' that form rear part of each projectile. These skirted projectiles differ from conventional 'shells and cartridge' units in that the skirts are part of the projectile, and in that the skirts are 'open-ended' (at the rear). The rearward seal to the skirt is provided by the nose of the following projectile in the barrel. As in the previous design, the firing of a projectile results in a rearward impulse on the remaining projectiles stacked in the barrel. This results in the skirts of the remaining shells in the barrel being compressed against the following shell heads, effectively creating a seal that prevents hot gases in the barrel triggering unintended propellant ignition ('blow-back') along the length of the barrel. Metal Storm also introduced inductive electronic ignition of the propellant, effectively from outside the barrel. This overcame technical issues in maintaining physical contacts with the propellant charges, which due to the compression effectively 'shift' slightly backwards within the barrel during firing.
The skirt-to-nose joint has (apparently) in recent designs incorporated an easy-release arrangement which allow the shells to be clipped together to form robust ammunition 'tubes' which can be transported more readily than individual shells, and inserted directly into Metal Storm barrels. Metal Storm have indicated the tubes can be 'pulled apart' and reconstructed in the field to make up custom combinations of ammunition, and to facilitate 'topping up' a partly discharged tube that is still in the barrel.
Features The distinguishing features of this technology are the absence of ammunition feed and casing ejection systems (Metal Storm systems are essentially solid-state - 'the only moving parts are the projectiles'), and the electronic ignition of the propellant charges. The relatively simple external shape of the Metal Storm barrel allows for the clustering of Metal Storm barrels into a barrel array or 'pod'; or for their attachment (as single units) 'bolted on' to existing weapons mounts, including infantry weapons. The absence of a mechanical feed mechanism and the inherently compact lightweight nature of Metal Storm systems also makes them suitable for attachment to light robotic ground and aerial vehicles. The electronic ignition allows for the firing of the stacked munitions at 'electronic speed' without any delays caused by mechanical ammunition feed mechanisms. The electronic firing also creates the potential for tighter integration with electronic targeting systems, with electronically programmable fuses in air burst ammunition, and with (in the case of hand guns) electronic grip recognition technology.
The clustered barrel array has been further developed with the design and building of prototypes of electronic firing control systems, allowing selective firing from any barrel in a cluster, and within each barrel the ability to control the rate of fire. This allows for responses which range from the equivalent of a volley gun discharge (all projectiles 'at once') to using (selectively) individual munitions with increasingly serious (but non-lethal) effects and lethal munitions including high explosive and air burst shells (all from different barrels in the array). The ability to deploy a range of munitions from effectively 'one' weapon systems has been put forward by the company as an advantage in urban warfare and insurgency situations where a range of responses may be required in close quarter fighting and crowd control, and in circumstances where the same mission may include situations where lethal and non-lethal responses are called for. The mitrailleuse - a 19th century volley gun A volley gun or ribaldequin is a gun with several barrels for firing a number of shots simultaneously. ...
A patent exists for a design where the gun tubes at the edges of the array are angled outwards from the main axis so that a gun tube array mounted on a tracking platform would have the potential to engage a target before the bulk of the centrally located gun tubes reached the optimal aiming position. This feature, combined with the 'always loaded' nature of the technology, and the potential to rapidly produce a very high density (low distance of separation) of projectiles 'in the air' is put forward by the company as an advantage for this technology in close-in weapons support roles. Phalanx CIWS A Close-in weapon system (CIWS) is a naval shipboard weapon system for detecting and destroying incoming anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft at short range (the threat(s) having penetrated the ships available outer defences). ...
Metal Storm have in the last twelve months had a teaming agreement with ST Kinetics, a Singapore based ammunition manufacturer. A 40mm high explosive shell has been demonstrated with a Metal Storm gun, and trials are currently underway with air burst ammunition. Metal Storm for the last two years has committed heavily to developing weapons in the 40mm range, having previously undertaken considerable work across a range of calibers including 60mm and 9mm.
Products Metal Storm technology is not currently deployed. Potential applications, reflecting patent applications, company statements, and prototypes under development include area denial (replacing fixed minefields); minefield destruction; close-in weapons support for ground vehicles, airships and ships; anti-torpedo defense; combined gun/grenade launcher for infantry - the Advanced Individual Combat Weapon (AICW); unmanned ground vehicle offensive capability; unmanned aircraft (fixed and rotary wing) offensive capability; and 9mm handguns incorporating grip recognition. The company has, since 2004, concentrated with greater focus on development of 40mm systems as this represents the fastest path to a commercial, saleable solution. Once this product line is completed it is expected that many more products in a range of calibers and formats will flow from the generic nature of these products. The Advanced Individual Combat Weapon (AICW) is a prototype assault rifle being developed in Australia. ...
The Foster-Miller TALONâ„¢ robot is a remote control tracked vehicle used primarily by the U.S. Army for explosive ordinance disposal. ...
UAVs in a hangar An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft with no onboard pilot. ...
The 3GL and Redback programs are expected to deliver Metal Storm's first fielded products in 2008.
3GL:
The 3GL weapon system is also being developed under a teaming agreement with Electro-Optic Systems (EOS), Metal Storm (MS) and Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics). The 3GL is a 3 shot under barrel grenade launcher intended to replace the M203 under barrel grenade launcher. The 3GL has several advantages over the M203:
- The 3GL has three shots instead of one. A user however can carry the weapon with only one or two rounds in the weapon if desired.
- The 3GL is semiautomatic (fires every time you pull the trigger) and provides the user with 3 shots in order that a user can "walk rounds onto the target." If a user has only one shot (such as with an M203) each time they fire they must lower the weapon, open the chamber, retrieve a grenade from their webbing, insert the grenade into the weapon, close the weapon, raise the weapon and enter firing position, aim the weapon and fire. A 3GL user, however, can fire a shot, see where it lands whilst still aiming the weapon, adjust for fall of shot and fire again (and if need be adjust for fall of shot and fire again).
- The 3GL is able to be easily mounted to the bulk of military rifles currently in use (whilst maintaining existing mounting points such as a picatinny rail) including the M16, AK47, SAR21 and Steyr. The 3GL operates in similar fashion to the M203 and will be familiar to users of the M203.
- The 3GL can be used as a stand alone weapon with the addition of a collapsible stock.
- The 3GL is easily transferable between rifle and stand alone configurations in the field.
- The 3GL fits in with current operational doctrine.
- The 3GL has a much increased firepower to weight ratio.
- Enhanced operational capability. The 3GL provides increased firepower for both individuals and sections. The 3GL therefore yields previously unavailable in-the-field engagement options. For example if each member of a section is equipped with a 3GL a section has a 30 grenade firepower capacity without reload. This is all whilst each individual has the rifle in firing position at all times. This is advantageous in comparison to the use of dedicated grenade launchers requiring the user to carry two weapons (a rifle and a grenade launcher) and ‘swap’ the weapon in hand with the weapon being carried over-the-shoulder depending upon the engagement.
- Individually reloadable. Load, unload and ‘top up’ – all individually. A user can load 1, 2 or 3 rounds. If a user has 3 rounds loaded and only fires one before reload is desired (in a lull period in an engagement for example), the 3GL can be reloaded by sliding the barrel forward and inserting another round into the breech. The 3GL is designed to reload in the same fashion as the M203 such that users of the M203 will find using the 3GL ‘familiar.’
- Metal Storm 40mm rounds are the same size as a conventional 40mm round and shell casing assembly and will fit in webbing pouches designed for conventional 40mm munitions. This means all currently in use webbing, backpacks etc can be used to house 3GL ammunition where conventional ammunition was once stored.
Redback: M4A Modular Weapons System carbine with M1913 rails on receiver and foregrip Picatinny Rail Dimensions, Cross Section The Picatinny rail is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform for scopes and other accessories such as tactical lights and laser sighting modules. ...
The Redback weapon system is being developed under a teaming agreement with Electro-Optic Systems (EOS), Metal Storm (MS) and Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics). A fully integrated prototype (being that MS and EOS electronics were fully integrated and the weapon could track and slew) has been successfully test fired with dummy ammunition. The next step is to fire the weapon with high explosive, enhanced blast high explosive and air burst high explosive ammunition. These munitions have already been successfully test fired from a static (non slewing) mount in February 2006.
The Redback is a 4 barrel, 16 shot remotely operated weapon system that can automatically track targets and slew at speeds of up to 700 degrees/second (2 complete revolutions per second).
The Redback can utilize high explosive, enhanced blast, and air bursting munitions all of which have been successfully test fired as well as a suite of less lethal munitions such as gas, smoke, sponge, CS (capsicum) and illumination.
The primary role of Redback is as a lightweight vehicle or fixed asset mounted 40mm weapon system which is operated remotely by a protected operator that affords maximum defense against attack from individual and squad level weapons. It has been designed to be capable of further enhancement to undertake autonomous engagement and intercept of multiple Rocket propelled Grenades (RPGs). This is available through a combination of the sophisticated target tracking technology and fast slew rate of the mount provided by Metal Storm teaming partner Electro-Optical Systems (EOS), a custom fixed distance air burst munition (successfully test fired in February 2006) provided by Metal Storm teaming partner Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) and Metal Storm stacked projectile weapons technology.
The secondary role of the Redback is variable application of force. The Redback, like all Metal Storm systems, is variable in its application of force in a fashion that conventional mechanical weapon systems cannot match. It can fire a single round upon a single target or saturate an area with 16 high explosive grenades in a small fraction of a second. The saturation capability can be used in order to protect a convoy or for area denial for example. The Redback reloads with a Metal Storm ‘projectile cartridge’ which is essentially a stick of projectiles ‘clipped’ nose to tail and onto a quick release breech plug at its end to engage the rearward breech of the weapon. This enables fast reload (4 rounds and a barrel at a time) whilst allowing for top-up of half spent barrels. A half spent projectile cartridge can be removed from a barrel and ‘topped up’ by clipping individual rounds onto the stick. Redback is also variable in its application of force in that it can deliver a variety of different 40mm munitions. The Redback, also like all Metal Storm systems is variable in its application of force in that it can fire a suite of different munitions from the same pod.
- Successfully tested munitions to date include 9mm kinetic, 15.7mm kinetic, 50 cal high pressure kinetic (72,000PSI), 40mm high explosive, 40mm enhanced blast high explosive, 40mm air burst and several 40mm less-than-lethal variants and 60mm mortar (inert).
Limitations Widespread public awareness of Metal Storm technology was due to media coverage in relation to the theoretical 1 million rounds/minute rate of fire. In the United Kingdom it was featured along with its inventor on the popular BBC show Tomorrow's World. As a result of this, and other publicity, there have at times been unrealistic expectations of the technology, particularly of ease with which such technology might be developed and implemented.
Some limitations with the technology became apparent during the late 1990s as development continued. Much of the detail of the technology remains classified but it is understood that: For the band, see 1990s (band). ...
- While the simplified mechanics and relative light weight of Metal Storm gun/barrel array suggested that they might have advantages when deployed on light unmanned aerial vehicles, it was anticipated that recoil management may become a significant issue relative to the light weight of the vehicle and consequently to flight stability. An Piasecki DP-5X unmanned helicopter (in free flight) has since been demonstrated firing Metal Storm 40mm weapons.
- Manual, automatic and semi-automatic reloading concepts exist, incorporating breech and muzzle loading into permanent barrels, throw-away barrels (and barrel arrays), a belt-fed stacked-cartridge gun patent, and a patented breechless continuous feed gun with injected propellant. With the exception of the belt-fed and the breechless gun patents, all of Metal Storm's gun concepts are limited to bursts of no more than the number of bullets or shells pre-loaded into the barrel(s). That said, a barrel array might contain more shells in fact than a traditional 'clip' or 'belt.' Metal Storm, in general, due to its inherently compact, lightweight nature has a much increased firepower to weight ratio in comparison to conventional weaponry. Latest shell designs (2007) incorporate clip-together features allowing the rapid construction and deconstruction (in the field) of ammunition 'tubes' from individual shells. These tubes can be inserted directly (and locked) into Metal Storm barrels.
- High barrel pressures were noted in early testing when multiple shells were 'fired' so rapidly that the second (and subsequent) shells were in motion within the barrel before the first had left the muzzle of the gun. While this resulted in very high muzzle velocities (the origin of the Mach 5 technology that was investigated by DARPA) it also (appeared) to cause concern about barrel wear and barrel integrity. Metal Storm took out a patent on a barrel pressure relief valve system; but has concentrated in recent years on the development of low pressure 40mm systems, and has in recent demonstrations deployed a microchip at the barrel muzzle which detects the passage of each projectile and locks the firing mechanism (of each subsequent shell) until the first shell has cleared the muzzle. This still allows for much higher rates of fire than conventional weapons, but appears to guard against unintended high pressure situations in the barrels.
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC), was founded by vertical flight pioneer Frank Piasecki to continue pursuing the development of compound helicopters and other advanced rotorcraft. ...
A US soldier drops a shell into the muzzle of an M224 60-mm mortar. ...
Financials and funding The company was founded in 1994, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1999 and on the Nasdaq in 2001. The company has over 30 worldwide patents covering aspects of ballistics technology. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ...
Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ...
Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Metal Storm raised capital as a public company when it listed on the ASX. Additional funding has been received from the Australian and USA Governments who are keen to control access to the technology (see International Interest below). Australia has invested more than $10 million and USA more than $20 million.[2]
The Company is currently in the process of preparing two initial products for commercialization; the Red Back automated turret system, and a 40 mm grenade launcher for use by infantry.
Key personnel
Directors: - Terence James O'Dwyer, since 1998, Interim Chairman May 2004-September 2005, Chairman since September 2005
- James Michael Crunk, since September 2005
- Dr Peter Jonson, since February 2006
- John Nicholls, since September 2006
Mr Terence James O’Dwyer, a Chartered Accountant, was a partner at BDO Kendalls Chartered Accountants for 28 years. ...
Ex-directors: - Brigadier Michael Harris, Australian Army (retired), 1994-2000
- J. Brett Heading, Chairman, 1988-March 2003
- Brigadier Peter Pursey AM, Australian Army (retired), 1994-March 2003
- Kevin Dart, 1994-October 2003
- Lt General Daniel Christman, US Army (retired), June 2002-June 2004
- Admiral William Owens, US Navy (retired), 2000-May 2004, Chairman of the Board, November 2001-May 2004
- Charles A. Vehlow, CEO, March 2003-December 2004
- J. Dennis Heipt, October 2004-February 2005
- J. Michael O'Dwyer, Founder, Managing Director, CEO, Executive Director, Director of Scientific Innovation, Principal Technical Adviser (retired February 2005)
- David A. Smith, CEO, February 2005-May 2006
- Dr Daniel Lewis Alspach, August 2003-July 2006
- General Wayne Allan Downing, US Army (retired), October 1999-October 2001, Deputy Chairman, October 2002-November 2006
- Bruce Sinclair McComish, October 2004-March 8, 2007
William A. Bill Owens was a admiral in the United States Navy and later Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ...
General Wayne Allan Downing, born in 1940, was raised in Peoria, Illinois. ...
Other key personnel: - Dr Lee J. Finniear: CEO (appointed February 19, 2007)
- Peter Pursey AM: Program Development Manager
- Dr Joe Cronin: Managing Engineer
- Arthur David Schatz: Vice President - Business Development
- Peter Faulkner: Senior Vice-President – Director of U.S. Operations
Patents - Metal Storm Patents at the European Patent Office
- Metal Storm Patents at the US Patent Office
- Metal Storm Patents at the Australian Patent Office
Patent holders: - J. Michael O'Dwyer
- Dr Vinod Puri
- John Ramon Bambach
- Sean Patrick O'Dwyer (J. Michael O'Dwyer's son)
International Interest In October 2006, the Australian media[2] and New Zealand media[citation needed] reported that Mike O'Dwyer had rejected a US$100 million offer by the Chinese People's Liberation Army to go and live in China, where he would have provided all of his knowledge, and that there had been other attempts to acquire the technology. Under Australian law, it would have been illegal for Metal Storm to sell the technology to the Chinese military, but it would not have been illegal for O'Dwyer to have gone to China to work for them. US and Australian Government military sources have stated that there are arrangements in place to prevent knowledge from being transferred.[citation needed] This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...
// This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
In popular culture - Metal Storm plays an important role in the alternate-history novels of the Axis of Time trilogy by John Birmingham, as an important element in future naval close-in weapons systems and also in a combat rifle, the Remington G4.
- The O'Dwyer VLe,[3] a prototype Metal Storm handgun, is featured in the John Ridley novels What Fire Cannot Burn and Those Who Walk In Darkness
- Metal Storm weapons mounted on the chassis of an M1A1 Abrams tank are featured in When the Devil Dances and Hell's Faire books by John Ringo as stand-alone weapons. They are also installed on the upper deck of the SheVa Self-propelled artillery vehicle 'BunBun' as an improvised secondary weapons system.
- Metal Storm weapons were also mentioned (and used by the IG-88 bounty hunters) in the Matthew Reilly action novel "Scarecrow".
The Axis of Time trilogy is a series of novels written by Australian journalist and author John Birmingham. ...
John Birmingham (born 1964) is an Australian author. ...
The ODwyer VLe is an experimental handgun created by Australian inventor Mike ODwyer. ...
John Ridley John Ridley is an American film director, actor, inventor and writer. ...
The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps, with three main versions being deployed starting in 1980: the M1, M1A1, and M1A2. ...
John Ringo is an American science fiction and fantasy author, who specializes in the subgenre of military science fiction, concentrating on SF scenarios that have a lot of infantry battles and other types of ground combat. ...
A U.S. M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer Self-propelled artillery (also called mobile artillery or locomotive artillery) vehicles are a way of giving mobility to artillery. ...
Matthew Reilly, born July 2nd, 1974 Sydney, is an Australian action thriller writer. ...
References - ^ for example Scott in 1902 and Broyles in 1974
- ^ a b Chinese whispers and the Aussie killing machine, Sunday Nine MSN, October 1, 2006
- ^ O'Dwyer VLe
See also The following list of modern armament manufacturers presents major companies producing modern weapons and munitions. ...
List of all weapons currently in development, production, or significant service in the world. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
The mitrailleuse - a 19th century volley gun A volley gun or ribaldequin is a gun with several barrels for firing a number of shots simultaneously. ...
[[Image:]] The Nordenfelt Gun was an early multiple barrel machine gun that had a row from one to twelve barrels. ...
A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ...
Phalanx CIWS A Close-in weapon system (CIWS) is a naval shipboard weapon system for detecting and destroying incoming anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft at short range (the threat(s) having penetrated the ships available outer defences). ...
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