Following extensive testing and successful certification, several three round semi-automatic volleys were man-fired at an outdoor range in Queensland.
It was the first stacked-round shoulder firing of a certified grenade launcher from the Brisbane-based weapons developer.
Metal Storm CEO Dr Lee Finniear said the 3GL man-firing in Brisbane was the culmination of a lengthy process to move from initial research prototypes to a safe, certified, shoulder-fired weapon.
"Up until now we have carried out our testing from the safety of a test firing bench.
"Today we completed a series of live shoulder-fire trials to demonstrate that the 3GL grenade launcher has been
successfully certified safe to man-fire," Dr Finniear said.
The 3GL three-shot grenade launcher is a world first, being the only 40mm launcher which is light and compact enough to attach as an accessory to an assault rifle, while also providing a three-shot, semi-automatic firing capability.
The 3GL effectively trebles the reactive grenade firepower of an infantry squad, making it a competitive alternative to improve the effectiveness of ground troops worldwide.
Dr Finniear said 30 rounds of stacked non-explosive 40mm ammunition were shoulder-fired during the Brisbane tests, with high speed and conventional cameras recording the event for engineering analysis purposes.
Military evaluation company Nova Defence has independently reviewed the 3GL and reported that with appropriate planning and support Metal Storm's objectives for the weapon were "entirely achievable".
Metal Storm aims to commence production of the 3GL in 2010.