Metal Storm is a defence technology company that develops projectile launching systems utilising its unique, electronically initiated, stacked projectile technology. With offices and supporting ‘in house’ engineering capability in Australia and the USA, Metal Storm is focusing its technology effort on medium caliber capabilities and applications, in particular 40mm.

The value of Metal Storm technology lies in the core capability advantages it provides in a range of applications compared with existing ‘conventional’ technologies. These core advantages provide advances in capability for military and security forces. The Company is in a development phase as it transitions its technology from proof of concept to product implementation. The details of the technology and related applications are outlined in detail on this website.

Company History

The Company was founded in 1994 by James Michael O'Dwyer, an Australian inventor and entrepreneur who had the vision and drive to prove that weapons systems using stacked rounds were both possible and practical.  While stacking projectiles in a barrel had been attempted historically, Mr O'Dwyer solved many of the technical challenges that had plagued earlier efforts, including finding ways to avoid the first round igniting the others behind it when it was fired.

The Company listed on the Australian stock exchange in 1999, and expanded its operations to take on Australian and US Government contracts in addition to continuing to improve its technology.  It completed a range of successful demonstrations, including a 9mm weapon firing at a burst rate of over 1 Million rounds per minute, grenade launchers mounted on robotic platforms, an electronic handgun, and multi-barrel weapons firing 40mm projectiles.  On his retirement as CEO in 2003, Mr O'Dwyer left a strong legacy of intellectual property, patents and a small but expert team capable of carrying his vision forward. 

Building on this strong IP base, the Company has since focused on moving the technology forward to deliver field capable, fully integrated weapons systems and munitions ready for certification and manufacture.  Currently the main work of the company is to deliver fully qualified, commercially manufactured 40mm and 18mm weapons systems and ammunition - initially its 3GL three shot underslung grenade launcher, and the Redback multi-barrel remotely operated weapons system. 

Using technology from these core developments, Metal Storm Inc. in the USA has gained a number of US Government contracts. The specific requirements of these contracts inspired the creation of the Firestorm 40mm robotic weapons system on an iRobot platform, and MAUL, an ultralight 18mm 4 shot grenade launcher attachment for infantry combat weapons. 

The Company has recently entered into a manufacturing, sales and marketing agreement with Singapore Technologies Kinetics - the largest manufacturer of 40mm ammunition in the world, and a major manufacturer of 40mm weapons systems.  This agreement will take the 40mm Metal Storm munitions and the 3GL to full manufacture, and enable Metal Storm technology to be delivered into the hands of every soldier that needs it.