Metal Storm has announced that it is launching its latest lightweight weapon system, the GLH1851 Multi-shot Accessory Under-barrel Launcher (MAUL), at the International Infantry and Joint Services Small Arms System Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The MAUL is an ultra-light shotgun attachment that fits under the barrel of an individual combat weapon, including the M-4 and M-16 rifles. It provides a range of less lethal, lethal and door breaching capabilities as an integrated, lightweight accessory to the user's main combat weapon.

During the show Metal Storm will be demonstrating the MAUL with a live firing at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

MSI General Manager Peter D. Faulkner said Metal Storm is displaying the MAUL at the symposium as an accessory to the M4 as well as a stand-alone version with a folding shoulder stock.

"This revolutionary product incorporates Metal Storm's unique electronic ballistics technology in a 12 gauge weapon that weighs only 1.8 pounds (0.82kg)," he said.

"The MAUL was conceived with a great deal of influence from the US operational community.

"We were consistently told that weight should be at the top of our design priorities. At 1.8 pounds, we think we have set the bar for a five shot semi-automatic shotgun."

Although the MAUL is capable of firing a range of lethal and less lethal munitions, Mr Faulkner said Metal Storm is seeing a particularly strong interest in less lethal applications from military, security and law enforcement communities.

"The MAUL readily adapts to the unique aspects of urban operations with a range of traditional and specialty capabilities to include standoff door breaching and neuro-muscular incapacitation," he said. "With the MAUL's quick-load munition tubes an operator can instantly reconfigure his weapon to suit the mission."

"At the firing demonstration we will be using blunt impact less lethal rounds at a range of 25 metres," Mr Faulkner said.

Metal Storm CEO, Dr Lee Finniear, said "The MAUL is a disruptive technology that will forever change the way the small arms community thinks about how and when to use a shotgun."