Metal storm blasts into US

A few weeks back Metal Storm CEO Dr Lee Finnear fronted the AGM with a grenade launcher in the hope of raising capital. He has now taken the product to the firing range
in the US.

METAL Storm has received encouraging feedback from the US military after a series of live firing demonstrations in Nevada, just weeks after CEO Dr Lee Finnear pleaded for capital at the weapons developer’s AGM.
The Brisbane-based company is yet to sell any of its weapons, which has led to serious financial difficulties.

But in April, Finnear told Brisbane Business News that he expected a huge demand for Metal Storm’s 3GL Grenade Launcher, the MAUL shotgun and a remotely-operated firing system called Firestorm once they are on the market.
The live demonstration was in front of 400 people at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, including key procurement and operational officers from the US Army, the US Marines and international defence forces.
“This was a fantastic opportunity to show our weapons in action and let others try them before a broad audience,” says Finnear.

“The feedback from both the military community and defence industry representatives was very encouraging. It makes a real difference to be able to pass a weapon to a potential user to fire and have him understand, first hand, the potential of Metal Storm.”

He says the 3GL three-shot grenade launcher is a world first, being the only 40mm launcher which is light and compact enough to attach as an accessory to an assault rifle, while also providing a three-shot, semi-automatic firing capability.
“275m is a substantial target distance for a grenade launcher, but the trajectory I saw was excellent – also, I immediately understood the practical benefit of three rounds, as I was able to deliver another two rounds without losing my aim. With a conventional grenade launcher the target would not have been neutralised,” he says.

Finnear previously told Brisbane Business News that the 3GL Grenade Launcher was already certified with non-explosive ammunitions and now needs further testing with explosive ammunitions before it qualifies to standards – this successful demonstration certainly makes that prospect more promising.

“The important thing for the troops in Afghanistan is those first seconds of engagement with the enemy when you can do a lot of damage physically as well as psychologically.”

“I don’t think warfare is good news for anybody but if our troops are out there we want them to be prepared, and if we can reduce casualties among Australian or US personnel then our work is done.”