BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA -- 05/19/08 --
Defence technology company Metal Storm
Limited (ASX: MST) (NASDAQ: MTSX) is pleased to announce that is has
conducted successful Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Testing on its 40mm
ammunition tail propulsion system.
The tests conducted at a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)
accredited facility in Melbourne were the most rigorous yet undertaken on a
key piece of Metal Storm technology and revealed the selected energetic was
well configured to pass more stringent EMI tests in the next 12 months.
Metal Storm CEO Dr Lee Finniear said the tests showed no significant flaws
in the Metal Storm tail technology, giving the company a high degree of
confidence in progressing the testing to a full military specification test
regime without significant risk of failure.
"These tests have given us peace of mind about our ability to ultimately
certify a unique inductive firing capability and they support the
progression of Metal Storm technology to certification and, ultimately,
commercialisation," Dr Finniear said.
"The exercise has provided a great deal of technical data about the
immunity of the tail propulsion system in an adverse EMI environment. Our
ultimate goal is for the Metal Storm tail system to be certified according
to current military standards for anticipated operational use."
Metal Storm has fired a wide range of explosive munition payloads from its
40mm weapon systems, which operate at the same muzzle velocity and
effective range as other conventional 40mm munitions.
Its munition range includes high explosive, air burst, enhanced blast and
less lethal rounds and it has future plans to expand its current range of
low velocity munitions into medium velocity and high velocity munitions to
extend their range, lethality and capability.
Dr Finniear said EMI compliance was a first order priority in terms of
getting Metal Storm technology certified for use within its intended
operational environment.
The actual test process was closely aligned with relevant military
standards and is a step towards formal military EMI certification for
munitions. Furthermore, the chosen EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) test
facility has the highest commercial EMI capability in Australia.
Dr Finniear said the expected risk associated with the Metal Storm
technology within an EMI environment had been significantly reduced as a
result of the testing activity and the next round of tests would be
conducted at an offshore facility.
Notes:
Metal Storm's Australian Stock Exchange trading code: MST
Metal Storm's NASDAQ Small Cap ticker symbol: MTSX
About ST Kinetics
ST Kinetics is the land systems arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering.
It provides integrated systems, specialty vehicles and their related
services for defence, government and commercial applications. This includes
design and development, systems integration, production, operations &
support and life cycle management. Through its subsidiary, Advanced
Material Engineering Pte Ltd, ST Kinetics also designs and manufactures a
comprehensive suite of 40mm munition solutions, conventional and smart
munitions, advanced protective materials as well as guided system
components. It also provides consultancy, design and engineering services
for homeland security solutions.
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
