Australia
 Metal Storm
China
 QLZ-87 / W87
 QLB-06 / QLZ-87B
Germany
 HK69
 HK79
 HK AG36/AG-C
 HK GMG
 Panzerfaust
 Panzerfaust 44 Lanze
 Panzerfaust 3
 Armbrust
Russia - USSR
 RPG-2
 RPG-7
 RPG-16
 RPG-18 new
 RPG-22 new
 RPG-26 new
 RPG-27 new
 RPG-28 new
 RPG-29
 RPG-32 new
 RShG-1 new
 RShG-2 new
 RMG new
 RPO-A "Shmel" new
 RPO-M "Shmel-M" new
 MRO-A new
 GP-25 and GP-30
 RG-6
 GM-94
 AGS-17
 AGS-30
 Balkan new
 RGS-50M new
 BS-1 Tishina new
Sweden
 Carl-Gustaf
 AT4
South Africa
 Milkor MGL
 PAW-20 "Neopup"
Switzerland
 B+T GL-06
USA
 M79
 M203
 EX-41
 MM-1
 XM25
 M72 LAW
 M136 AT4
 M202 Flash new
 Mk.153 SMAW
 Mk.19 AGL
 Mk.47 AGL
 XM307 ACSW

all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2008
by Max R. Popenker
and can not be used without author permission

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Metal Storm multi-shot grenade launcher (Australia)

Caliber: 40mm (others possible)
Type: stacked-projectile, caseless multishot system
Overall length: n/a
Weight: n/a
Effective range: up to 400 m
Capacity: 3 shots (current 40mm model, single barrel)

The Metal Storm grenade launching system is a radical step from most conventional firearms. Using the ancient principle of an "Roman candle", Metal Storm weapon systems currently are promoted in a variety of calibers and applications. One of such applications is the 40mm, multi-shot grenade launcher, that could be either mounted on the infantry rifle to create an enchanced-capability infantry weapon like the Australian AICW system, or to be mounted on stationary or vehicle platforms in multi-barrel configurations.

Key advantage of Metal Storm system is its mechanic simplicity. In fact, the standard Metal Storm grenade launching unit is no more than a single rifled barrel, loaded with several projectiles, stacked one upon the another. There are no loading mechanisms, no feed units nor magazines or belts - each barrel is a magazine itself. Projectiles are fired using powder charges, located in the hollow hase of each projectile, and there's no case left to extract and eject after each shot; Powder is ignited by the electric ignition system, wired to the electrinic fire control module through small ports in the wall of the barrel. When user press the firing button or trigger, electronic fire control module sends the ignition impulse to the charge of the foremost projectile in the stack; when trigger is pressed for the second time, module ignites the second charge and then next, until barrel is empty. Once all the rounds in the barrel are shoot out, it can be removed from the host and then either collected and later sent to factory for reloading, or simply discarded.
Current 40mm grenade launching module, developed for the AICW rifle/GL system, contains three grenades stacked one in front of another in single barrel. Each barrel has an electronic interface which is connected to the fire control unit, built into the host platform. This is about the simplest systems, at least from the operator's point of view (from developer's point of view, there's plenty of complications and difficulties, most of which seems to be already overcome). However, there is one drawback when Metal Storm system is compared to existing mechanically or manually reloaded systems - latter systems still can be fired once batteries are dry; Metal Storm always require some sort of electric power to operate. This problem may seem critical, especially for military purposes, but, actually, it is not. For example, several Soviet/Russian anti-tank grenade launchers (like RPG-16 or RPG-29) are built using electric rocket ingnition; necessary electricity is provided by the magneto-impulse generators, powered by the pull of the trigger. Same idea also could be possibly applied to the Metal Storm system.

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