Posted on 11/18/2007 4:59:13 AM PST by Perseverando
After years of development, a new class of weapon that uses computer-controlled electronic ignition instead of primers to fire projectiles may be finally taking its much coveted place in the U.S. military inventory.
Brisbane, Australia-based Metal Storm has delivered a four-barrel weapon to the Naval Surface Warfare Center for testing that uses a small electrical current instead a conventional firing pin to deliver stacked rounds at an astounding rate.
How astounding? Try 1 million rounds per minute. That's the rate, by the way, not the volume; still, there's no way you want to be anywhere near the wrong end of one of these puppies. . . .
The projectiles are stacked in-line in the barrel--nose to tail--so there are no magazines, no shell casings, and no mechanical components. This makes them ideal for unattended area denial or picket duty. They are also easily adapted to light vehicles and robot platforms. In fact, the company just signed an MOU with iRobot Government & Industrial Robots to combine its robot platforms with Metal Storm's scalable systems.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com ...
didn’t the inventor claim the Chinese had offered him $100 m to move to China and develop the weapon for them?
Nothing is salt water or sailor proof. This weapon will require a long testing period at sea to prove its worth.
That sounds pretty familiar. I was just doing a little research on the FreeRepublic and WorldNetDaily to see if I could find the article. I believe you’re right.
sorry, I wasn’t wasting your time, I just found it myself after several tries on Search
Having seen this on TV I would think it would be a far superior alternative from the Phalanx guns used to day as a defense for incoming missiles.
Bah.....if it won’t initially pass Erma Bombeck’s 2 year old child test then scrap it yesterday......:o)
The ZF1! It's light, handles adjustable for easy carrying. Good for both righties and lefties. Breaks down into four parts, undetectable by x-ray. Ideal for quick, discreet interventions. A word on firepower. Titanium recharger. 3,000 round clip with bursts of 3 to 300. With a replay button, another Zorg invention, its even easier. One shot and replay sends every following shot to the same location. And to finish the job, all Zorg oldies but goldies. Rocket launcher. Arrow launcher with explosive poisonous gas heads. Our famous net launcher. The always efficient flame thrower. My favorite. And for the grand finale, the all new ice cube system.
Yeah, I've seen it too. The Metal Storm is nothing short of amazing! The sound it makes alone is enough to make the enemy cower in fear......
One of my favorite flicks!
I noticed there was a UFO thread yesterday. I should have known someone would post another metalstorm thread.
I’ll give it another week before someone posts a flying car thread.
“We’re sending someone in to negotiate!”
All right, coming to a neighborhood near you, . . . it's ROBO COP ! ! !
Didn’t Ripley have a pair of these to defend the corridor leading to Med Lab?
Zap! You’re histwa!
What’s the Red button for?
“Have you ever negotiated before?”
“Big Badaboom!”
Operationally, how is this different from a big shotgun, or a conventional gun loaded with cannister?
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