Gizmodo: launcher

MetalStorm 3GL Grenade Launcher Should Be Renamed to "You-Gonna-Get-a-Sh*tstorm-of-Metal, Enemy Dude"

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST

This is not the MetalStorm 3GL Grenade Launcher. It's the Milkor MGL/M32, a lightweight 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher. It does a lot of bang-bang-my-baby-shot-me-down, but it's no match for the deadly simple, electronically-fired MetalStorm 3GL:

Unlike the Milkor, which is the classic grenade launcher, MetalStorm 3GL doesn't have multiple barrels. Just a single one, which is electronic controlled—running on two AA batteries that will last for the entire life of the barrel itself. That makes it half the weight of the Milkor, while using the same standard 40 x 46mm grenades, which can be quickly loaded in the barrel one after the other.

The barrel can launch 720 grenades a minute, which it's quite an unbelievable number. Of course, you can only feed it a small number of grenades, but it's quite still impressive. Too bad it's made to kill people. [Firearm Blog]

The Story of the Great Philadelphia Hot Dog Launcher

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST

Hot dog maker Hatfield constructed a hot dog launcher with the help of the Philly Phanatic, famous weirdo mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, for use during Phillies games. And now, in a fit of boredom and comedic inspiration, they've released a "documentary" detailing the making of the launcher. It's absolutely hilarious, and I'm not saying that just because I'm Gizmodo's token Pennsylvanian.

The video ends with a "Hatfield engineer" looking into the distance and musing about how nuclear power might be in the future for the launcher: "We've talked about rocket-propelled hot dogs, we've said, you know, is nuclear power an option? We'd have to play with it a little bit..." It's pretty much the best mockumentary I've seen since Summer Heights High. Thank you, Hatfield, for extending my Philly pride six minutes further. [Grill the Goodness via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Hit Coworkers From Afar and Burn the Evidence With DIY Paper Rocket Kit

Jack Loftus — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EDT

USB rocket launchers are expensive and overrated, in my opinion. I say give me Luddite papercraft rocket launchers or give me death. So you'll excuse me when I say I downloaded the template for this DIY paper rocket launcher [PDF] from German design site Paper Puzzle Parade and made a small army this morning. The site says if you do "good work" the rocket should reach heights of about 15 feet! I sense a Cold War with my USB-armed office brethren brewing. [Paper Puzzle Parade via MAKE]

Drug Gang Use WWII Anti-Tank Bazooka to Intimidate People

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Police in Polk County, Florida, have busted a drug gang—leaded by some assclown called Otis "Cowboy" Carden, who was also selling methamphetamine to his mother and brother— that terrified neighbours and customers using the firepower of a fully oiled and operational World War II british rocket launcher. ~~And although they really never fired it, the police did... near a power plant.~~ Actually, the gang fired it, not the police. Video after the jump.

[The Ledger—thanks tinshaker]

iPhone Springlets: Add Quick Search Bookmarks

Jason Chen — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:10:33 EST

Just like bookmarklets in FireFox, these Springlets for the iPhone let you quickly search a site (IMDB, Google, Wikipedia) by pre-typing in the search term before you load the page itself. This saves you one page load per search from the home page, which at EDGE speeds could mean up about a 30-second time gain. [Springlets via Lifehacker]

Striker II: USB Laser Guided Missile Launcher

Mark Wilson — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 11:31:35 EST

We've preached the merits of USB missile launchers before, which is why this new product is such important news. The $50 Striker II is the "next generation" USB missile launcher, featuring a class 3 "laser guidance system" for better aiming.

You control the launcher through fully mod-ready PC software. But why no Mac support? We're not all pacifist, granola-eating, black mock turtle-wearing hippies. Oh wait. – Mark Wilson
Thanks GP!

Product Page [ninjagizmos]

Tennis Ball Robot Hits With a Racket

Jason Chen — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:44:30 EST

Unlike traditional tennis ball launchers, this tennis robot hits with an actual racket. This makes judging when the ball is hit and where it will land a whole lot easier.

The balls are launched between 20kph (12.4mph) and 70kph (43mph), which isn't that fast, but is good enough for practice. Seriously, as a guy who's been hit in the nuts more than once by a tennis ball machine (ball me once, shame on you, b..ba....I'm not gonna get balled again), I can say this is a good invention. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Astro-r via Seihin World via BNCRanking (japanese)]

USB Missile Launcher Reviewed (Verdict: Nobody's Getting Any Work Done)

Jason Chen — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:51:58 EST

How fun are these USB Missile Launchers? Very. A single launcher comes with 3 foam missiles, a three foot USB cable, sound effects, and a Windows XP control program. Once installed, you control the cannon with either your mouse or the arrow keys, and fire with the space bar.

We kinda wish they came with more missiles, since three is just going to get you maybe a minute and a half worth of pleasure. Nobody likes it when you've shot everything off after 90 seconds. But at $35, they're not too expensive. Buy a few and watch your productivity soar. Does soar mean go down? – Jason Chen

Product Page [Brando]

USB Missile Launcher Review [Notebook Review]

Air Hogs Storm Launcher - R/C Hovercraft

Mark Wilson — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:30:51 EDT

Remember that video we lnked to a while back with some guys playing with this ridiculously cool dual-propeller hovercraft/plane/thing? The video is gone, but now it's a real product.

The Storm Launcher runs $120 (or three easy payments of $39.95) and comes with a LIPO battery pack and charger, 2 extra propeller blades, 2 prop guards, prop tool and instructional CD. Our guess is that if you get 2 extra propellers in the kit, you will need about 20, but maybe you are a Storm Launcher prodigy and didn't even know it.

Our "tipster" - quotes because the guy wrote like their infomercial, and for his sake we hope he is receiving a paycheck - said that if you didn't want to buy off TV or their website, check out Target and Walmart who should have them on shelves shortly. But those bundles will lack batteries. – Mark Wilson

Product Page Thanks "Chris"!