METAL STORM LIMITED CEO's Update
21 Novembro 2005 - 1:34PM
PR Newswire (US)
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Metal Storm
continues to move ahead on various fronts with the continued
advancement of our "systems" technology. Our technical team has
started to execute the projects that Metal Storm has recently been
awarded. Initial work has also begun with our new partners;
Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd and Electro Optic Systems
Holdings Ltd. These projects are progressing in a timely manner. We
are also making plans to commence work on some projects that are
soon to be finalized. As part of this CEO Corner, I also want to
bring you up to date on some of Metal Storm's current activities
and ongoing projects. Anti-RPG project The Anti-RPG Phase I SBIR
submission was completed in January 2005 for the US Navy. In June
2005, a Phase II SBIR proposal entitled "Active Protection System"
was submitted at the request of the US Department of Defense.
Negotiations have been entered into with the US Navy and a contract
award before the end of the fourth quarter 2005 is likely, but has
not yet been confirmed. The estimated contract value, if awarded,
is approximately AU$1.32 million. Metal Storm Crowd Control System
The US Army Phase II SBIR proposal entitled "Metal Storm Crowd
Control System" is expected to be awarded and funding confirmed by
the end of 2005. Originally expected in September, the contract
award has been delayed by US Department of Defense budget
appropriation procedures. The estimated contract value, if awarded,
is approximately AU$1.22 million. Torpedo Defense project The
Torpedo Defense project with Lockheed Martin was completed in March
2005 and was submitted to the US Navy. Follow-on opportunities are
under discussion. Area Denial Weapons System project The Area
Denial Weapons System (ADWS) consortium project was completed in
May 2005. The company is currently evaluating commercial
opportunities for the concept in conjunction with the planned
building and testing to pre-certification stage of a new
generation, lightweight, remotely operated, multi-barrel weapon
system. High Explosives munitions development High Explosives
munitions development is continuing with tests and trials of
components and design concepts. This is a staged-development
program, with a series of building and testing steps required to
produce a design that meets safety standards and is ready for
demonstration to end users. Live firing demonstrations of our HE
munitions capability are programmed to begin in the first quarter
of 2006. Dragonfly The Dragonfly UAV demonstration has been subject
to further delays and is unlikely to occur this calendar year.
These delays are not the responsibility of Metal Storm and relate
to issues outside of our control as sub-contractor. We have
conducted live firings from a tethered position and more tethered
studies will be conducted before moving to in-flight trials. Given
the delays, the Company is considering other UAV platforms from
which it could conduct demonstrations if required. If the company
were to choose to discontinue its participation in the Dragonfly
project the company would be unlikely to recover any of the
external funding that was expected. However, at this point the
project is continuing and is programmed to conclude by the end of
the first quarter 2006. We will continue to review our position in
order to gain the best outcome for the company. Boeing contract The
Boeing contract to conduct a study to determine capability
requirements for a specialized weapons system was successfully
completed in August 2005 and the output is currently under
consideration for continuance by the project lead's customer.
Advanced Individual Combat Weapon The Advanced Individual Combat
Weapon (AICW) project was completed in August 2005. The company is
currently evaluating several options for the potential
commercialization of the AICW concept with industry partners.
Department of Energy contract The US Department of Energy contract
has been awarded and work is in progress. It is on target for
completion within project specifications. Cooperative Research and
Development Agreement - ARDEC A Cooperative Research and
Development Agreement (CRADA) with ARDEC is in operation and work
is proceeding as planned on the development and testing of 40mm
munitions adapted to Metal Storm configuration. This work is
intended to lead to the availability of a variety of lethal and
less lethal munitions for use in Metal Storm weapon systems.
Teaming Agreement - Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited (ST
Kinetics) The Teaming Agreement with STK, announced in September
2005, is in operation and the Company is currently working with STK
on a number of specific munitions projects under the terms of the
Agreement. Teaming Agreement with Electro Optic Systems Holdings
Ltd (EOS) The Teaming Agreement with EOS, announced November 2005,
has commenced operation and the Company is currently working with
EOS and others on developing a number of specific project plans
under the terms of the Agreement. Other The Company is currently
preparing a statement of work for a US-based law enforcement
product development company which may potentially lead to a
contract award following a tender process. The Company has also
recently submitted a proposal in response to a request for
information in relation to a proposed product development project
with a military customer in the US which may potentially lead to a
contract to produce prototypes for testing The company is awaiting
confirmation of funding and contract awards before announcing
details of these proposals. Metal Storm has much going on and I am
very pleased with our progress. We are sticking to our strategy and
we are moving closer to our near-term goal of commencing the
certification process for components of our 40mm weapon system. Our
product engineering and business development strategies are
proceeding according to plan and we are securing the technical and
business partnerships we need. We are also active in working to
keep the market informed through solid news releases and in
promoting the company through direct contact with institutional
investors, brokers and dealers in our major markets. I believe the
best way to build a strong and sustainable share price is through
solid performance against our stated goals and milestones. We are
making good headway with this strategy and we will continue on that
path in a sure and steady fashion. David Smith Chief Executive
Officer 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 defense 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 the US,
with an office in Washington DC. The company has invented a
ballistics technology that has no known conventional equivalent.
Metal Storm is working with government agencies and departments, as
well as industry, to develop a variety of systems utilizing the
Metal Storm non-mechanical, electronically fired stacked ammunition
system. Safe Harbor 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. DATASOURCE: Metal Storm Limited CONTACT:
US: Investor queries - David Smith, of Metal Storm,
+1-703-248-8218; or Media queries - Stefan Anikewich, of Hill &
Knowlton, +1-212-885-0505; or Australia: Investor queries - Ian
Gillespie, Chief Operating Officer, +61-7-3221-9733 Web site:
http://www.metalstorm.com/
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