1) Directors and DOPs love its ease of use, because Pirate have integrated the camera with a live-image video eyepiece, a full range of cine lenses, accessories and optional Motion Control, producing film-like quality images without the hassle and expense of shooting film.

2) The image sensor is 320 ASA film equivalent, so typical shots require only 2 x 10kW lights, resulting in a very low lighting bill.

3) Pirate have our own 2,000sqft studio in West London, although shooting on location is no problem. In addition, Pirate have Super 16mm cameras available too - for example one camera shoots at an amazing 10,000fps!

Pirate also hire high speed analogue video kits for self-operation, for use as video assists with high speed film cameras.

The company is based in Brisbane, Australia with a subsidiary in Washington DC, U.S.A. Metal Storm owns the proprietary rights to the electronic ballistics technology invented and developed by J. Mike O’Dwyer.

The company was founded in 1994, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1999 and on the Nasdaq in 2001. The company has over 30 worldwide patents covering aspects of ballistics technology.

The share price has fluctuated between a high of AU$2.65 in 2000 and AU$0.11 in 2005, and the company has never paid a dividend. A range of financing arrangements made during 2006 have ensured that operating funds will be available through to at least 2007.

There are currently no commercially available or mass-produced weapons based on the Metal Storm technology.

In May 2004 Metal Storm conducted a live-firing demonstration to key defence personnel in the US, including the US Army Research Development Engineering Command (ARDEC), Telecordia - an associate company of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and General Dynamics Corporation