SA80 facts for kids
The SA80 stands for "Small Arms for the 80s." It is a group of weapons used by the British Army and the Royal Marines. These weapons are special because of their "bullpup" design. This means the part that holds the bullets (the magazine) is behind the trigger. This makes the weapon shorter and easier to handle, but it still has a long barrel for good aim.
The SA80 family includes different types of firearms. The most common is the L85 assault rifle. There is also the L86 Light Support Weapon (LSW). This weapon is designed to give more firepower. For people who work in helicopters, there is a shorter version called a carbine. Young people in army cadet groups also use a special version.
Contents
Understanding the SA80 Weapon Family
The SA80 family has several models, each with a specific use.
The L85 Assault Rifle
The L85 is the main assault rifle used by British soldiers. It is designed for general combat. It is known for being quite accurate.
The L86 Light Support Weapon
The L86 LSW is a longer and heavier version of the SA80. It is made to be very accurate. In fact, when it was first used, army shooting tests had to be changed because the L86 was so precise! It is often used in special groups that provide extra firepower.
Other SA80 Models
There is a smaller version, the L22 Carbine, which is easier to use in tight spaces, like inside vehicles or helicopters. For army cadets, there is a training rifle called the L98 A2 Cadet GP. This version is similar in size to the main rifle but is designed for training. It is much better than older training rifles.
SA80 Reliability and Upgrades
When the SA80 weapons were first used, they had some problems. They were not always reliable, meaning they sometimes stopped working when they were needed most. To fix this, the weapons were upgraded. A German company called H&K helped improve them. This upgrade led to the "A2 series" of SA80 weapons. These A2 versions are much more dependable. However, not all older SA80 models have received this important upgrade.
Images for kids
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Pictured left to right are the L85-A2, XL 60 and EM-2
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A Royal Marine aims an L85A2 equipped with an L123A2 (AG36) grenade launcher.
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A US Marine operating the cocking handle of an L85A1, 2000.
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View through a SUSAT sight.
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Close-up of an L85A2 with the polymer Magpul EMAG. Note the clear round counting window.
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L85A2 carrying upgraded Laser Light Module Mk 3 with 800 m range.
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Royal Marines boarding team member with an L22 Carbine
See also
In Spanish: SA80 para niños
