metalstorm technology

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brighamr

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I'm wondering specifically how the electronic gun ignites the projectiles (ie. are the projectiles fitted with electric igniters, kind of like a bunch of ied's in a barrel? Or are the projectiles actually propelled using electronic\magnetic force?)
 
The projectiles and propellants are stacked in the barrel(s) like a Roman candle. The method for sealing each round from the one in front of it is the basis for the system and is proprietary technology. Use of electro-magnetic energy to launch the projectile is a railgun. It is under development but not yet ready for prime time.
 
It is not a railgun. Metal Storm uses electricity to ignite the propellant, but not to propel the bullets themselves.
 
I think it's likely something like the way an old string of Christmas lights works; inside the barrel, there has to be a series of electrical contacts from one side to the other, and as long as it's turned on, electricity will find the shortest route from the negative side to the positive side. If it passes through the propellant, it fires their version of a primer, but if that spot in that barrel has already been fired, it goes to the next possible circuit (one load down).
 
Back in the early days if missile interception development there was a proposal for a Gatling type gun firing from multiple positions in the revolving cycle to be placed in the interceptor warhead. This would seem to be a good application for Metalstorm technology since it requires minimal electrical power, no weight in cases or feed and ejection mechanism, and probably easier to hit with than kinetic kill.
 
We've had lots of discussions on Metalstorm here in the past.

It is not a rail gun.

It does not use a burst of electrical energy to convert a propellant into plasma.

It does use a casingless propellant projectile combination one atop the other inside a barrel with electrical igniters along the interior of the barrel to set off the propellant much faster than any mechanical system can. Combine the barrels and you have stunning rates of fire based on the much faster electrical switching technology over the rates of fire from current mechanical firing systems.
 
http://www.cva.com/products/rifle_electra.htm

this works in a similar fashion, albeit one shot only, I don't see why you couldn't use the ignition system from this, and position igniter heads in small holes drilled in the barrel at regular intervals, and use a serial switch board with a contact fitted to the trigger, as long as you could get the bullets or wads to seal the charge behind it (double ended wad cutters and wonder wads with shallow rifling), it would probably work. A 30 shot Metalstorm blackpowder muzzleloader, should be legal, and a whole lot of fun, assuming it doesn't blow up, or the shooter dies from smoke inhalation:uhoh:
 
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