[merlin8r]

like Roger Waters song looks like we might "Amuse ourselves to death"

or "When they overrun the defences, a minor invasion put down to expenses"

To be fair, this weapon could indeed be used as a strictly defensive measure. The excellent Australian author John Birmingham wrote a book called Weapons of Choice, in which the navy of 2021 features Metal Storm defense points. Basically, they target and destroy any incoming projectiles, including artillery shells.