going forward looking back

It's worthwhile looking back sometimes at what has been said in the past, and some of this is no exception, they are excerpts taken from the post at the bottom under the link!

It took a lot longer than what they initially thought?
"with the goal of producing military-standard trial products within ten months?"
I don't think it is far away now after the latest CEO report that said they had achieved man firing of HE rounds.

From the bit below it is blatently clear that not only the 3GL will benifit from the development of the ammunition, but also all the other weapons that use the same ammunition, at low velocity, not sure if medium velocity has been tested as of yet? but things like the ADWS, Firestorm or the Redback could all be ready for sale as well when it is, because those systems I believe will need both LV & MV in my opinion and will be better for having both capabilities!
BTW,I believe the medium velocity rounds will be able to fire at either LV or MV with the same round depending on what option is chosen, it is a different round than the one that only fires LV only, and I very much doubt that you would be able to place a MV round in an LV weapon!

"Under the terms of the Agreement, Metal Storm and ST Kinetics have agreed to "collaborate in the design, development, testing, qualification, manufacture of prototypes and demonstration weapons and munitions as well as the commercial production and marketing of munitions and selected Metal Storm ballistic weapons that only use those munitions.
Dr. Finniear said the deal would deliver munitions that are compatible with all of Metal Storms' 40mm weapons, not just the 3GL, and would allow it to expand its operationally-ready munitions to additional types."

And it sums it up here, they are talking about the rest of the world here , except the US I believe?
and I think they may be just about at the production stage now, and the last little sentence backs up what I am saying!

The Agreement provides for design enhancement, integration testing and qualification stages totaling ten months, a demonstration and user trial stage, and a production stage . *****It also provides for a joint marketing plan broken down by regions and further collaboration options, including potentially with other products.*****



http://www.defencetalk.com/metal-storm-sets-weapons-commercialisation-path-with-st-kinetics-14881/

Metal Storm Sets Weapons Commercialisation Path with ST Kinetics
Defense Technology News — By Editor on February 25, 2008 at 7:26 am
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...

Metal Storm Limited, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: Defence technology company Metal Storm Limited has entered into a Collaboration Agreement with Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics) to take its 3GL three-shot grenade launcher and 40mm ammunition to manufacture.

Metal Storm CEO Dr. Lee Finniear said the Agreement is a critical next step in the company's progress and provides a clear path to the commercial production of Metal Storm weapons, with the goal of producing military-standard trial products within ten months.

"This Agreement delivers appropriately-qualified munitions and 3GL weapons for soldiers to trial and goes on to take Metal Storm weapons to full-scale production," Dr. Finniear said.

"This is a clear indication that we have developed our technology to the stage where we can partner with a major defence company to collaboratively deliver final production weapons."

Under the terms of the Agreement, Metal Storm and ST Kinetics have agreed to "collaborate in the design, development, testing, qualification, manufacture of prototypes and demonstration weapons and munitions as well as the commercial production and marketing of munitions and selected Metal Storm ballistic weapons that only use those munitions."

ST Kinetics will contribute funds toward completing the demonstration and trial 3GL weapons and munitions.

Dr. Finniear said the deal would deliver munitions that are compatible with all of Metal Storms' 40mm weapons, not just the 3GL, and would allow it to expand its operationally-ready munitions to additional types.

The Agreement provides for design enhancement, integration testing and qualification stages totaling ten months, a demonstration and user trial stage, and a production stage. It also provides for a joint marketing plan broken down by regions and further collaboration options, including potentially with other products.

Singapore-based ST Kinetics is the land systems and specialty vehicles arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering). It is one of Asia's leading defence and specialty vehicles companies, with a strong portfolio of products and services for the defence, homeland security and commercial markets.

ST Kinetics is the world's leading provider of 40mm solutions, empowering the user with a wide range of end-effects, including high and low velocity rounds, less-than-lethal rounds, insensitive and self-destruct munitions. ST Kinetics has a global focus on 40mm solutions and is also recognised as one of the first in the world to demonstrate a ready and working 40mm air bursting munitions system.

Dr. Finniear said that STK had strong production and manufacturing facilities as well as international marketing, sales and distribution capabilities. "This Agreement builds on the established and very good working relationship that already exists between our companies," Dr. Finniear said.

ST Kinetics President Sew Chee Jhuen said the Agreement expanded on the very good work already undertaken between the two companies.

"This Agreement complements ST Kinetics' objective of maintaining our position as the international market leader in 40mm munitions," Mr. Sew said. "Metal Storm's systems fit with ST Kinetics' approach of being at the forefront of new and innovative technologies that can provide a capability advantage, enhancing the soldier's effectiveness."

Mr. Sew said that in addition to development and manufacture, ST Kinetics plans to also market, distribute and support the Metal Storm weapons and munitions.

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.

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. Metal Storm Limited technology and products are represented in the USA by Metal Storm Inc., which has offices 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