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| SA80 |
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| SA80 |
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| The developement of the SA80 system (which included two weapons - L85 Assault rifle and L86 Light Support Weapon) began in the late 1960s when the British MOD decided to develope a new rifle which will eventually replace all 7.62mm L1 SLR (British-made FN FAL) in the 1980s. When NATO trials were announced in 1977 to select a new cartridge, British state owned Enfield Small Arms Factory developed it's own small-calibre, high velocity round, which was more or less representing the US .223/5.56mm case necked down to accept 4.85mm (0/19 inch) bullet. When the cartridge came out, Enfield developed a new weapon around it, initially called XL70. This weapon, being somewhat similar in outline to the much earlier British SA2 rifle, was, in fact, quite different, and basically was no more than designed on the US Armalite AR-18 rifle, put into a bullpup stock, and rechambered for 4.85mm cartridge. After NATO trials, which resulted in adoption of the belgian SS-109 version of the 5.56mm cartridge, Enfield engineer rechambered XL70 for this cartridge and continued it's development. Due to the Falkland War, a new system was actually adopted in 1984. Original SA80 weapons (both L85 and L86) were plagued with many problems, some being very serious. In general, L85 was quite unreliable and troublesome to handle and maintain, so, finally, after years of complaints, it has been decided to upgrade all L85 and L86 Weapons. The upgrade program, committed in 2000-2002, was completed by the German company Heckler&Koch, which is owned by the British Royal Ordnance. It is said that almost all bugs or the original L85A1 cured, and resulting in the L85A2 rifle, announced in late 2001, is at least adequate, or, according to the official releases "one of the best". The latter is yet to be proven in coming years, but H&K is known for quality of workmanship and design, so maybe Britain finally has a decent assault rifle, almost 20 years after it's adoption. SA80 ia a gas operated, selective fire weapon. It utilises short piston strike gas drive with gas regulator, which operated AR-18 style, massive bolt carrier with eight-lugged rotating bolt. The bolt carrier rides on two guide rods, and recoil spring is located around the third rod, between and above guide rods. The receiver is made from stamped steel, and is said to be strengthend during L85A2 upgrade program. L85A2 accepts STANAG-compatible magazines. The one of the most notable features of the L85A2 is that it is issued with 4X optical sight, called SUSAT, as a standard, which seriously improves accuracy. Emergency fixed sights are also provided. Calibre: 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem) Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt Overall Length: 780mm Barrel Length: 518mm Weight: 4.13kg (w. optical sight) Effective Range: 600m Rate of Fire: 700 - 900 rounds per minute (cyclic) Feed: 30 rd detachable box magazines Muzzle Velocity: 991m (3250ft) per second |