The fastest firing weapon in the world 1000000. Million rounds per minute - Metal Storm
The weapon, which fires at a rate of a million rounds per minute, has found no buyers in ten years. However, the author of the development founded his own company, came up with many interesting varieties of “super shooter”, and now decided to use combat technology in a peaceful field.
When the Australian Mike ODwyer decided to create a record-breaking weapon for the rate of fire, he went for two long ago known ways: increasing the number of barrels and the rate of shots of each of them.
In addition, Mike immediately decided that unusual performance could be achieved only by abandoning any moving parts in the system, except trigger.
No separate magazines with cartridges, no bolts, etc., etc., etc.
By the way, in jet systems volley fire there is nothing of this. But there are only a few barrels, the shells loaded in them and an electrical launch system. The idea was in the air.
However, if for a heavy system it is still possible to connect 20, 30 or even 60 barrels together, then for hand weapons combining so many trunks would be madness.
The inventor found an original solution. The engineer came up with the idea of placing several ammunition into each barrel at once - one after the other. There are propelling charges between them, and the ignition of gunpowder is carried out by electric current. The inventor “entrusted” the supply of electrical impulses in the required order to the electronics.
"Metal Storm" - exotic look weapons turned into a means of fighting fires (illustration from metalstorm.com).
Mike called the new technology “Metal Storm”. In relation to bullets, the name could be translated as “Lead Hail”. By the way, that’s also the name of his company.
Soon the first working prototype of such a weapon appeared - the VLe pistol, firing 50 thousand rounds per minute.
True, its single barrel only held seven bullets, so that the entire “queue” lasted much less than the blink of an eye. There was no provision for quick reloading at all. An experiment is just that: an experiment.
According to the inventor, such a weapon (with only several barrels) could replace the current pistols in the police.
Three bullets fired from this VLe almost at the same moment fly along almost the same trajectory. Although the return even for this a short time moves the weapon slightly. The spread is small. And it comes in handy here - the chance of hitting the target with the first “triple” shot increases.
Interestingly, this pistol has an electronic owner identification system.
VLe is the first in the world completely electronic gun. Apart from the trigger, there are no moving parts (photo from metalstorm.com).
Until the inventor figured out how to make such a weapon truly multi-charged. Only seven cartridges can be preliminarily placed in the barrel, which can be fired one at a time, in bursts of two or three cartridges. Or all at once in about a hundredth of a second.
Reports about the rapid-fire pistol circulated around the world's media. But due to the unsuitability of this pistol for real application, interest in the company has faded.
However, an enterprising Australian opened a branch of the company in Washington and began to develop the idea of “Metal City”.
First, heavy, “company” massed fire systems appeared in the drawings, and then in the metal.
In a salvo, for example, from 24 barrels of 30 or 40 mm caliber, each barrel fires 8-10 shells in hundredths of a second.
With a successful hit, this compact steel swarm covers a group of enemy soldiers or equipment on the ground; or breaks into small fragments air target.
"Metal storms" for the battlefield can have a set of barrels different calibers And total stock shells - over a hundred. Moreover, all of them, if necessary, can be released in hundredths of a second (illustration from metalstorm.com).
Prototypes of multi-barreled small-caliber guns from Metal Storm, which did not have a single moving part (not counting the turret for aiming the entire gun), during tests they fired tens and hundreds of ammunition in one ultra-short burst - at a rate of a million rounds per minute.
O'Dwyer established contact with the US Army, which became interested in the Australian's technology. There is no talk yet of any purchases, let alone adoption. But with the support, among others, of the Americans, O'Dwyer continues his research.
His company dreams of installing such a weapon on an airplane (in a hanging container). The air “storm” is useful for “volley” processing of the most important ground targets.
A storm stream covers enemy equipment (illustration from metalstorm.com).
Australian designed and handcrafted assault weapon(also, of course, with the Metal Storm principle): with several barrels of different calibers and computer switching of fire modes.
The crazy rate of shots of this technique and the very principle of its operation are reminiscent of an inkjet printer, throwing thousands of droplets of ink onto paper per second.
Remember what parameters the first printers had and what parameters modern ones have. The Metal Hurricane has room to grow.
However, for now the “deadly printer” remains a technical curiosity. And, clearly, the company needs money.
The inventor of a super-fast-firing gun came up with and began to actively advertise the peaceful line of his “storm” equipment. For example, exotic “Metal Hail” cannons could fire hundreds of capsules with fire extinguishing agent at the source of a fire.
Where do you think a weapon that can fire a million rounds per minute became widespread?
Now I will tell you...
When Australian Mike O'Dwyer decided to create a record-breaking weapon for the rate of fire, he immediately followed two long-known paths: increasing the number of barrels and the rate of shots of each of them.
In addition, Mike immediately decided that unusual performance could be achieved only by abandoning any moving parts in the system, except for the trigger. No separate magazines with cartridges, no bolts, etc., etc., etc. By the way, there is none of this in multiple launch rocket systems. But there are only a few barrels, the shells loaded in them and an electrical launch system. The idea was in the air.
However, if for a heavy system it is still possible to connect 20, 30 or even 60 barrels together, then for a hand weapon combining such a number of barrels would be madness.
The inventor found an original solution. The engineer came up with the idea of putting several ammunition into each barrel at once - one after the other. There are propelling charges between them, and the ignition of gunpowder is carried out by electric current. The inventor “entrusted” the supply of electrical impulses in the required order to the electronics.
“Metal Storm” - an exotic type of weapon turned into a means of fighting fires (illustration from metalstorm.com).
Mike called the new technology “Metal Storm”. In relation to bullets, the name could be translated as “Lead Hail”. By the way, that’s also the name of his company.
Soon the first working prototype of such a weapon appeared - the VLe pistol, firing 50 thousand rounds per minute. True, its single barrel only held seven bullets, so that the entire “queue” lasted much less than the blink of an eye. There was no provision for quick reloading at all. An experiment is just that: an experiment.
According to the inventor, such a weapon (with only several barrels) could replace the current pistols in the police.
Three bullets fired from this VLe almost at the same moment fly along almost the same trajectory. Although the recoil even in such a short time slightly displaces the weapon. The spread is small. And it comes in handy here - the chance of hitting the target with the first “triple” shot increases.
Interestingly, this pistol has an electronic owner identification system.
Until the inventor figured out how to make such a weapon truly multi-charged. Only seven cartridges can be preliminarily placed in the barrel, which can be fired one at a time, in bursts of two or three cartridges. Or all at once in about a hundredth of a second.
And then the charging procedure may take longer. So for now, not a single policeman will exchange his Colt or Beret for a VLe. Reports about the rapid-fire pistol circulated around the world's media. But due to the unsuitability of this pistol for real use, interest in the company faded. However, an enterprising Australian opened a branch of the company in Washington and began to develop the idea of “Metal City”.
First, heavy, “company” massed fire systems appeared in the drawings, and then in the metal. In a salvo, for example, from 24 barrels of 30 or 40 mm caliber, each barrel fires 8-10 shells in hundredths of a second. With a successful hit, this compact steel swarm covers a group of enemy soldiers or equipment on the ground; or blows an air target into small fragments.
After spending approximately 15,000 hours and approximately $2 million in research and development, Metal Storm had seven operational prototype weapons based on the new principle at its disposal. During testing, thousands of shots were fired from them. It was possible to achieve an extrapolated rate of fire of about 135,000 rounds/min. If you combine the barrels, you can get quite a lot of firepower. The three-barrel weapon system showed a rate of fire of a maximum of 135,000 rounds/min. Metal Storm specialists obtained this figure in bench tests, firing a burst of 45 shots. Until now, tests have used shot kits with a 9mm bullet weighing 140 grains, equipped in accordance with the Manufacturers Institute standard sporting weapons and ammunition.
Prototype small arms Metal Storm's Mk.5 is a compact 36-barrel launch container loaded with 540 rounds. Tested at a rate of 60,000 rounds per minute, this model is theoretically capable of firing at a mind-blowing rate of 1,620,000 rounds per minute - which is what O'Dwyer intends to achieve. Mk.5 combines 12 three-barrel subsystems, each barrel of which is loaded with 45 ammunition. And this subsystem has already shown a rate of fire of 135,000 rounds/min. Additionally, significant design changes are being made to the prototype to improve safety. For simplicity, all tests were performed using smooth barrels. It is believed that the transition to rifled barrels will not create any serious difficulties, but an alternative would be to use feathered bullets.
Surprisingly, O’Dwyer stated that during a test hand-fire at a range of 25 m, the Mk.5 weapon system with smooth trunks showed a deviation of the average point of impact in groups of only 0.79 inches (about 20 mm). IN prototypes In small arms, each bullet is inserted into the barrel by hand, separated from the next by a 0.14 inch (3.56 mm) diameter steel spacer, and then filled with compound to form a bond at the rear of the barrel. To equip each projectile with a propellant charge of conventional Australian BM2 cartridge powder weighing about 5 grains, there are ports at the top of the rear part of the barrel according to the number of projectiles, into which gunpowder is poured, and then an Olin M52 electric detonator cap is inserted.
Going forward, the designer intends to connect the bullet to the propellant, rather than pouring the propellant through ports. If the charge is solid, then perhaps it will replace the gaskets currently used. O’Dwyer also envisions the possibility of using an internal detonator cap and even laser system arson.
Using electrical circuit ignition, you can shoot at the required pace from one or several barrels, alternately or simultaneously. The prototype weapons used an external electronic relay with computer control from the Brisbon company MeT. In industrial designs, however, it is intended to use miniaturized built-in electronic systems. The weapon's status will be indicated on the LCD screen. When igniting a propellant charge, relatively soft bullet under the pressure of powder gases it expands and hermetically seals the barrel, and the compression of unfired bullets prevents the gases and flames from breaking back.
Special measurements during bench tests of weapons showed that the temperature of one barrel after firing a burst of 15 shots at a rate of 45,000 rounds per minute increases by only 3.5 ° C. Each propellant charge burns in a new place, which significantly reduces the risk of barrel overheating. The position of each bullet in the bunch relative to the bore affects its external ballistics: for example, the most last bullet passes through the channel longest length. Because of this, with the same propellant charges for each ammunition, variations are inevitable initial speed flight of bullets located at different points in the bundle. This circumstance also affects the energy of the bullet at the moment of impact with the obstacle and the spread of bullets at the target. In addition, the time it takes for the pressure in the bore to drop to a safe level after firing will be different for each ammunition.
However, O'Dwyer postulated the possibility of pre-loading the barrel with ammunition manufactured to accommodate different positions in the bunch, thereby eliminating the above variations. On the other hand, you can use these variations in order to get bullet separation at the target. It is possible to change the configuration of the gaskets to turn them into cores using kinetic energy, possibly feathered, and then the bullet will be replaced by a sabot. An alternative option is to install a gasket in the nose rather than the tail of each bullet - the result will be the same.
“Metal storms” for the battlefield can have a set of barrels of different calibers and a total supply of shells - over a hundred. Moreover, all of them, if necessary, can be released in hundredths of a second (illustration from metalstorm.com).
With the assistance of the Australian Trade Commission in Atlanta, Georgia. USA, in 1995 O'Dwyer negotiated with three major American companies for the production of weapons on issuing him a license for new technology For further development weapon systems. According to him, he expects to conclude a deal with one of the companies, and in addition, he has received encouraging news from Europe.
Metal Storm has vigorously attempted to apply its concepts to a wide variety of military systems. While a seven-figure shooting rate is a good market lure, it doesn't have much value on its own. of great importance and is certainly not decisive for the weapon system. Any weapon that fires continuously at this rate will soon be out of ammunition. Replenishing ammunition will pose considerable difficulties for the logistics supply system.
Prototypes of multi-barreled small-caliber guns from Metal Storm, which do not have a single moving part (not counting the turret for aiming the entire gun), during tests fired tens and hundreds of ammunition in one ultra-short burst - at a rate of a million rounds per minute.
The aviation version of “Metal Storm” clears everything within a radius of several tens of meters. But only once per flight (illustration from metalstorm.com).
His company dreamed of installing such a weapon on an airplane (in a hanging container). The air “storm” is useful for “volley” processing of the most important ground targets.
The Australian also designed hand-held assault weapons (also, of course, with the Metal Storm principle): with several barrels of different calibers and computer switching of fire modes.
The crazy rate of shots of this technique and the very principle of its operation are reminiscent of an inkjet printer, throwing thousands of droplets of ink onto paper per second. Remember what parameters the first printers had and what parameters modern ones have. The Metal Hurricane has room to grow. However, for now the “deadly printer” remains a technical curiosity. And, clearly, the company needs money.
The inventor of a super-fast-firing gun came up with and began to actively advertise the peaceful line of his “storm” equipment. For example, exotic “Metal Hail” cannons could fire hundreds of capsules with fire extinguishing agent at the source of a fire.
For extinguishing heavy fires (airplanes at airfields, skyscrapers) - such equipment would be very useful. At the same time, “hurricanes” can be mounted not only on fire trucks, but also on helicopters. They could quickly suppress fire in hard-to-reach places and gain time for the main forces to arrive.
Alas, no peaceful use has yet been found for the Metal Hail.
The inventor did not lose heart. To develop its business, expand the company's production and experimental potential and improve its storm technology, Metal Storm acquired American company ProCam is a manufacturer of precision mechanical parts for weapons and ammunition systems.
And on February 5, 2004, ProCam received an order for $272 thousand from General Dynamics. And although this work is not directly related to O’Dwyer’s invention, it is possible that the activation of “life” in the company will also affect the promotion of Metal Storm.
However, for now the fact remains that the weapon, which fires at a speed of a million rounds per minute, has not found buyers in twenty years.
Where do you think a weapon that can fire a million rounds per minute became widespread?
Now I'll tell you...
When Australian Mike O'Dwyer decided to create a record-breaking weapon for the rate of fire, he immediately followed two long-known paths: increasing the number of barrels and the rate of shots of each of them.
In addition, Mike immediately decided that unusual performance could be achieved only by abandoning any moving parts in the system, except for the trigger. No separate magazines with cartridges, no bolts, etc., etc., etc. By the way, there is none of this in multiple launch rocket systems. But there are only a few barrels, the shells loaded in them and an electrical launch system. The idea was in the air.
However, if for a heavy system it is still possible to connect 20, 30 or even 60 barrels together, then for a hand weapon combining such a number of barrels would be madness.
The inventor found an original solution. The engineer came up with the idea of putting several ammunition into each barrel at once - one after the other. There are propelling charges between them, and the ignition of gunpowder is carried out by electric current. The inventor “entrusted” the supply of electrical impulses in the required order to the electronics.
“Metal Storm” - an exotic type of weapon turned into a means of fighting fires (illustration from metalstorm.com).
Mike called the new technology “Metal Storm”. In relation to bullets, the name could be translated as “Lead Hail”. By the way, that’s also the name of his company.
Soon the first working prototype of such a weapon appeared - the VLe pistol, firing 50 thousand rounds per minute. True, its single barrel only held seven bullets, so that the entire “queue” lasted much less than the blink of an eye. There was no provision for quick reloading at all. An experiment is just that: an experiment.
According to the inventor, such a weapon (with only several barrels) could replace the current pistols in the police.
Three bullets fired from this VLe almost at the same moment fly along almost the same trajectory. Although the recoil even in such a short time slightly displaces the weapon. The spread is small. And it comes in handy here - the chance of hitting the target with the first “triple” shot increases.
Interestingly, this pistol has an electronic owner identification system.
Until the inventor figured out how to make such a weapon truly multi-charged. Only seven cartridges can be preliminarily placed in the barrel, which can be fired one at a time, in bursts of two or three cartridges. Or all at once in about a hundredth of a second.
And then the charging procedure may take longer. So for now, not a single policeman will exchange his Colt or Beret for a VLe. Reports about the rapid-fire pistol circulated around the world's media. But due to the unsuitability of this pistol for real use, interest in the company faded. However, an enterprising Australian opened a branch of the company in Washington and began to develop the idea of “Metal City”.
First, heavy, “company” massed fire systems appeared in the drawings, and then in the metal. In a salvo, for example, from 24 barrels of 30 or 40 mm caliber, each barrel fires 8-10 shells in hundredths of a second. With a successful hit, this compact steel swarm covers a group of enemy soldiers or equipment on the ground; or blows an air target into small fragments.
After spending approximately 15,000 hours and approximately $2 million in research and development, Metal Storm had seven operational prototype weapons based on the new principle at its disposal. During testing, thousands of shots were fired from them. It was possible to achieve an extrapolated rate of fire of about 135,000 rounds/min. If you combine the barrels, you can get quite a lot of firepower. The three-barrel weapon system showed a rate of fire of a maximum of 135,000 rounds/min. Metal Storm specialists obtained this figure in bench tests, firing a burst of 45 shots. Until now, tests have used shot sets with a 9mm bullet weighing 140 grains, loaded in accordance with the standard of the Institute of Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers.
Metal Storm's Mk.5 small arms prototype is a compact 36-barrel launch container loaded with 540 rounds. Having demonstrated a rate of fire of 60,000 rounds per minute in testing, this model is theoretically capable of firing at a mind-blowing rate of 1,620,000 rounds per minute - which is what O Dwyer intends to achieve. The Mk.5 combines 12 three-barrel subsystems, each barrel of which is loaded with 45 rounds of ammunition. And this subsystem has already demonstrated a rate of fire of 135,000 rounds/min. Additionally, significant design changes are being made to the prototype to improve safety. For simplicity, all tests were carried out using smooth barrels. It is believed that the transition to rifled barrels will not create any serious difficulties. , but an alternative would be to use feathered bullets.
Surprisingly, O'Dwyer stated that during test hand-firing at a range of 25 m, the Mk.5 weapon system with smooth barrels showed a deviation of the average point of impact in groups of only 0.79 inches (about 20 mm). In prototype small arms Each bullet is inserted into the barrel by hand, separated from the next by a 0.14 inch (3.56 mm) diameter steel spacer, and then filled with compound to form a bond at the rear of the barrel to pack each projectile with a propellant charge of approximately 5 kg of conventional Australian BM2 cartridge powder. grains in the rear part of the barrel at the top there are ports according to the number of shells, into which gunpowder is poured, and then an electric M52 detonator cap from Olin is inserted.
Going forward, the designer intends to connect the bullet to the propellant, rather than pouring the propellant through ports. If the charge is solid, then perhaps it will replace the gaskets currently used. O'Dwyer also provides for the possibility of using an internal detonator cap and even a laser ignition system at the final stages of development.
Using an electric ignition circuit, you can fire at the desired rate from one or more barrels, alternately or simultaneously. The prototype weapons used an external electronic relay with computer control from the Brisbon company MeT. Industrial designs, however, are expected to use miniaturized embedded electronic systems. The weapon's status will be indicated on the LCD screen. When a propellant charge is ignited, a relatively soft bullet expands under the pressure of powder gases and hermetically seals the barrel, and the compression of unfired bullets prevents the gases and flame from breaking back.
Special measurements during bench tests of weapons showed that the temperature of one barrel after firing a burst of 15 shots at a rate of 45,000 rounds per minute increases by only 3.5 ° C. Each propellant charge burns in a new place, which significantly reduces the risk of barrel overheating. The position of each bullet in the bunch relative to the bore affects its external ballistics: for example, the very last bullet passes through the longest bore. Because of this, given the same propellant charges for each ammunition, variations in the initial flight speed of bullets located at different points in the bundle are inevitable. This circumstance also affects the energy of the bullet at the moment of impact with the obstacle and the spread of bullets at the target. In addition, the time it takes for the pressure in the bore to drop to a safe level after firing will be different for each ammunition.
However, O'Dwyer postulated the possibility of pre-loading the barrel with ammunition manufactured to take into account different positions in the bundle, thereby eliminating the above variations. On the other hand, these variations can be used to obtain bullet spread at the target. It is possible to change the configuration of the gaskets to turn them into cores that use kinetic energy, possibly feathered, and then the bullet will be replaced by a sabot. An alternative option involves installing a gasket in the nose, rather than in the tail, of each bullet - the result will be the same.
“Metal storms” for the battlefield can have a set of barrels of different calibers and a total supply of shells - over a hundred. Moreover, all of them, if necessary, can be released in hundredths of a second (illustration from metalstorm.com).
With the assistance of the Australian Trade Commission in Atlanta, Georgia. USA, in 1995, O'Dwyer negotiated with three major American weapons companies to license him new technology for the further development of weapons systems. According to him, he expects to conclude a deal with one of the companies, and in addition, he received encouraging news from Europe.
Metal Storm has vigorously attempted to apply its concepts to a wide variety of military systems. While a seven-digit rate of fire is a good market attraction, it is not particularly significant in and of itself and certainly does not define a weapon system. Any weapon that fires continuously at this rate will soon be out of ammunition. Replenishing ammunition will pose considerable difficulties for the logistics supply system.
Prototypes of multi-barreled small-caliber guns from Metal Storm, which do not have a single moving part (not counting the turret for aiming the entire gun), during tests fired tens and hundreds of ammunition in one ultra-short burst - at a rate of a million rounds per minute.
The aviation version of “Metal Storm” clears everything within a radius of several tens of meters. But only once per flight (illustration from metalstorm.com).
His company dreamed of installing such a weapon on an airplane (in a hanging container). The air “storm” is useful for “volley” processing of the most important ground targets.
The Australian also designed hand-held assault weapons (also, of course, with the Metal Storm principle): with several barrels of different calibers and computer switching of fire modes.
The crazy rate of shots of this technique and the very principle of its operation are reminiscent of an inkjet printer, throwing thousands of droplets of ink onto paper per second. Remember what parameters the first printers had and what parameters modern ones have. The Metal Hurricane has room to grow. However, for now the “deadly printer” remains a technical curiosity. And, clearly, the company needs money.
The inventor of a super-fast-firing gun came up with and began to actively advertise the peaceful line of his “storm” equipment. For example, exotic “Metal Hail” cannons could fire hundreds of capsules with fire extinguishing agent at the source of a fire.
For extinguishing heavy fires (airplanes at airfields, skyscrapers) - such equipment would be very useful. At the same time, “hurricanes” can be mounted not only on fire trucks, but also on helicopters. They could quickly suppress fire in hard-to-reach places and gain time for the main forces to arrive.
Alas, no peaceful use has yet been found for the Metal Hail.
The inventor did not lose heart. To develop its business, expand the company's production and experimental potential and improve its storm technology, Metal Storm acquired at the end of 2003 the American company ProCam, a manufacturer of precision mechanical parts for weapons and ammunition systems.
And on February 5, 2004, ProCam received an order for $272 thousand from General Dynamics. And although this work is not directly related to O’Dwyer’s invention, it is possible that the activation of “life” in the company will also affect the promotion of Metal Storm.
However, for now the fact remains that weapons that fire at a speed of a million rounds per minute have not found buyers in twenty years.
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Australian Mike O'Dwyer made the first bid for world fame, inventing a device for on-the-go ventilation of athletic shoes. But in the 1990s, he began working on inventions far more terrifying than even the smelliest shoes: a naval defense weapons system theoretically capable of firing millions of shots at an incoming missile. He developed a unique concept for a firearm that is capable of achieving incredibly high rates of fire, but has no moving parts. To paraphrase the statement of his assistant, the weapon system created by O'Dwyer can be described as a combination of a multiple launch rocket system and a "Roman candle". Dwyer's company "" in the city of Brisbane was officially registered in 1993, but uses his developments in weapons based on the idea of " walls of fire" for the previous nine years.
In its simplest form firearms company is a single barrel loaded with a bunch of ammunition, which contains about 15 sets of shots. Each projectile in the bundle is equipped with a propellant charge and is fired in turn using an electrical ignition circuit. Because the system has no interacting moving parts and no shell casings that must be ejected, ammunition can be fired in a virtually continuous stream. In this case, the rate of fire is determined only by the time required to reduce the pressure in the barrel to a safe level after the previous shot. Theoretically, the rate of fire of such weapons can reach 45,000 rounds per minute per barrel, provided that loading is uninterrupted.
As has already been demonstrated with the AM-180 .22LR (5.56 mm) submachine gun, continuous fire with very at a high pace capable of causing damage to the target that is completely disproportionate to the caliber of the weapon or the weight of the bullet. Metal Storm also emphasizes the potential of its weapon systems to cause structural damage when fired at a rate of "only" 45,000 rounds per minute.
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After spending approximately 15,000 hours and approximately $2 million in research and development, Metal Storm had seven operational prototype weapons based on the new principle at its disposal. During testing, thousands of shots were fired from them. It was possible to achieve an extrapolated rate of fire of about 135,000 rounds/min. If you combine the barrels, you can get quite a lot of firepower. The three-barrel weapon system showed a rate of fire of a maximum of 135,000 rounds/min. Metal Storm specialists obtained this figure in bench tests, firing a burst of 45 shots. Until now, tests have used shot sets with a 9mm bullet weighing 140 grains, loaded in accordance with the standard of the Institute of Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers.
The company's Mk.5 small arms prototype is a compact 36-barrel launch container loaded with 540 rounds. Having demonstrated a rate of fire of 60,000 rounds per minute in testing, this model is theoretically capable of firing at a mind-blowing rate of 1,620,000 rounds per minute - which is what O Dwyer intends to achieve. The Mk.5 combines 12 three-barrel subsystems, each barrel of which is loaded with 45 rounds of ammunition. And this subsystem has already demonstrated a rate of fire of 135,000 rounds/min. Additionally, significant design changes are being made to the prototype to improve safety. For simplicity, all tests were carried out using smooth barrels. It is believed that the transition to rifled barrels will not create any serious difficulties. , but an alternative would be to use feathered bullets.
Surprisingly, O'Dwyer states that during test hand-firing at a range of 25 m, the Mk.5 weapon system with smooth barrels showed a deviation of the average point of impact in groups of only 0.79 inches (about 20 mm). In prototype small arms Each bullet is inserted into the barrel by hand, separated from the next by a 0.14 inch (3.56 mm) diameter steel spacer, and then filled with compound to form a bond at the rear of the barrel to pack each projectile with a propellant charge of approximately 5 kg of conventional Australian BM2 cartridge powder. grains in the rear part of the barrel at the top there are ports according to the number of shells, into which gunpowder is poured, and then an electric M52 detonator cap from Olin is inserted.
Going forward, the designer intends to connect the bullet to the propellant, rather than pouring the propellant through ports. If the charge is solid, then perhaps it will replace the gaskets currently used. O'Dwyer also provides for the possibility of using an internal detonator cap and even a laser ignition system at the final stages of development.
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Using an electric ignition circuit, you can fire at the desired rate from one or more barrels, alternately or simultaneously. The prototype weapons used an external electronic relay with computer control from the Brisbon company MeT. Industrial designs, however, are expected to use miniaturized embedded electronic systems. The weapon's status will be indicated on the LCD screen. When a propellant charge is ignited, a relatively soft bullet expands under the pressure of powder gases and hermetically seals the barrel, and the compression of unfired bullets prevents the gases and flame from breaking back.
Special measurements during bench tests of weapons showed that the temperature of one barrel after firing a burst of 15 shots at a rate of 45,000 rounds per minute increases by only 3.5 ° C. Each propellant charge burns in a new place, which significantly reduces the risk of barrel overheating. The position of each bullet in the bunch relative to the bore affects its external ballistics: for example, the very last bullet passes through the longest bore. Because of this, given the same propellant charges for each ammunition, variations in the initial flight speed of bullets located at different points in the bundle are inevitable. This circumstance also affects the energy of the bullet at the moment of impact with the obstacle and the spread of bullets at the target. In addition, the time it takes for the pressure in the bore to drop to a safe level after firing will be different for each ammunition.
However, O'Dwyer postulates the possibility of pre-loading the barrel with ammunition manufactured to take into account different positions in the bundle, thereby eliminating the above variations. On the other hand, these variations can be used to obtain bullet spread at the target. It is possible to change the configuration of the gaskets to convert them into cores that use kinetic energy, possibly feathered, and then the bullet will be replaced by a sabot. An alternative option involves installing a gasket in the nose, rather than in the tail, of each bullet - the result will be the same.
With the assistance of the Australian Trade Commission in Atlanta, Georgia. USA, in 1995, O'Dwyer began negotiations with three major American weapons companies to license him new technology for the further development of weapons systems. According to him, he expects to conclude a deal with one of the companies, and in addition, has received encouraging news from Europe.
The company is vigorously trying to apply its concepts to a wide variety of military systems. While a seven-digit rate of fire is a good market attraction, it is not particularly significant in and of itself and certainly does not define a weapon system. Any weapon that fires continuously at this rate will soon be out of ammunition. Replenishing ammunition will pose considerable difficulties for the logistics supply system.
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Despite the fact that the company has achieved undeniable success in the production of demonstration weapons, the production of samples suitable for adoption is still a long way off. Moreover, some of the company's proposed multiple launch rocket systems are simply impractical. They would demand to give up traditional weapons for the sake of the hope of receiving benefits that in reality may not be needed by anyone and even create new ones technical problems, for example, in terms of recoil damping - and not only systems of larger capybres.
However, some of Metal Storm's ideas are worth serious consideration. One area where the application of the "wall of fire" principle seems particularly attractive is close-in air defense of ships. Ship systems near air defense - last hope destroy the approaching ones anti-ship missiles like the two Exocet missiles launched by Iraq that seriously damaged the USS Stark in 1987 (its short-range air defense system was turned off at the time).
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