Scheduled Demonstration In The U.S.
Metal Storm Limited announced Wednesday that it is planning to
live-fire its 40mm electronic-weapon system on an Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle (UAV) helicopter in the U.S. shortly. Preparation and
fabrication are well advanced and a UAV airframe has already been
shipped into Australia to commence the weapon/UAV integration
process.
The live firing, anticipated to be held in the U.S. during the
second quarter of 2004, is the key deliverable under a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) that Metal Storm signed with Dragonfly
Pictures Inc (DPI) on February 23. Under the MOU the company's
electronic-weapon technology will be integrated with DPI's new
Dragonfly DP-4X UAV helicopter for these live firings.
The Dragonfly DP-4X is a man-portable, remotely controlled,
Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV that is approximately 85.5
inches long, 32 inches wide, 44 inches high, has a rotor span of
118.5 inches, and weighs approximately 140 pounds. It is designed
to carry imaging, communications and environmental sensors for
aerial intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.
Dragonfly Pictures Inc. chief executive officer, Mr. Michael
Piasecki, said the integration of Metal Storm's unique,
lightweight, electronic, multi-shot weapon system complemented
DPI's 'systems' approach in preparing the new Dragonfly DP-4X as a
weaponized UAV helicopter.
"Metal Storm offers a genuinely transformational
electronic-weapon system that will allow us to extend the
application of UAVs beyond just information gathering," Mr.
Piasecki said. "Our affordable and versatile Dragonfly DP-4X is
being prepared for riskier and more offensive missions to combat
many of the new threats that defy traditional battlefield tactics,"
he said.
Metal Storm director of scientific innovation, Mr. Mike O'Dwyer,
said DPI's UAV helicopters were an excellent platform for
demonstrating Metal Storm's technology to the U.S. defense industry
and military decision-makers because they have already been used in
frontline operational locations.
"Currently, small to medium UAV helicopters and airplanes are
restricted to the surveillance role as they have no real offensive
capability," Mr. O'Dwyer said.
"Integrating Metal Storm's electronic-weapon system with small,
lightweight UAV helicopters, will enable them, for the first time,
to undertake small-scale strikes to support ground troops by day or
night, escort convoys, clear roads and retaliate against mobile,
man-launched ordnance such as those used in Iraq recently," said
Mr. O'Dwyer.
"This project allows Metal Storm to support DPI demonstrations
for enhanced UAV capabilities now under consideration for the U.S.
Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.
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