EOS) announced today the
successful field firing of the Redback™ weapon system. The firings,
held over two days at a major field firing range, are a key step in the
lead up to explosive firings planned to be held in Singapore by June 07 and
follows the recent indoor integrated system test firings.
The firings tested some of the key features of the Redback™ weapon
system including the rapid engagement of multiple targets, and the firing
of multiple shots at different targets.
Metal Storm's CEO, Dr Lee Finniear, said, "The latest field firings were
designed to confirm the integration of the component sub-systems of
Redback™ including ballistic testing and target acquisition. We are now
very much on track with our efforts in the run up to explosive live firings
in Singapore."
"In my view these have been the most comprehensive tests of the Redback™
system to date, demonstrating among other things the speed at which we can
launch multiple 40mm projectiles, a characteristic which will be an
important differentiator for missions that require incoming projectile
intercept," said Dr Finniear.
EOS' CEO, Dr Ben Greene, said, "this is a major milestone towards the
fielding of the Redback™ weapon system. These firings confirm our
schedule is running on time and points to the capabilities that Redback™
has been designed to deliver."
Redback™ is a joint project developed by EOS, Metal Storm and Singapore
Technologies Kinetic's (STK).
Video of the Redback™ field firings has been placed on Metal Storm's
website www.metalstorm.com
Notes:
Metal Storm's Australian Stock Exchange trading code: MST
Metal Storm's NASDAQ Small Cap ticker symbol: MTSX
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, with an office 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.
About Electro Optic Systems Limited
EOS is a public company, specialising in the design, development and
production of sophisticated laser technologies, including supporting
software and electronic sub-systems. EOS' advanced technologies are applied
to a variety of sighting and surveillance applications in the aerospace and
defence markets.
The combat-proven EOS sensor and fire control systems are currently
deployed in the US Army CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapons System)
program which has been successfully fielded since 2003, and is used in
operations in Iraq. The EOS integrated surveillance and fire control
technology employs state-of-the-art multi-spectral sensors and fire control
software for direct-fire ballistic weapons.
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 40 mm 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.
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.