Re: Metl Storm
We worked with these guys a decade ago in my past life at GD. It's a pretty cool system and they keep advancing the technology. Their rate of fire is a proven 'million rounds a minute' but the reality is that they can only package a few thousand rounds in each module.
They are electronic primer. Each projectile is packed with a slightly different charge to account for the increasing barrel length as the 'stack' gets fired. That keeps velocities constant.
One of the interesting factoids about the system is that their targeting system is derived from ink-jet printing software. Take dots of ink and substitute projectiles... and you have an idea of the accuracy and flexibility of the system.
Got a map location w. a vulnerable position on it? They can 'print' a bullet or a shell around that position with unbelieveable accuracy... like a high-resolution photo print.
Betting that in a few more years, the AC130 is using some of this technology. But that's a guess on my part. But the core technology is definitely for-real.
Cheers,
Sirhr