L85A1

   Development of this assault rifle began in the late 1960s. The project was known as the SA80 (or Small Arms for 1980s). This project included development of two weapons - automatic infantry rifle and light support weapon. It has been developed by Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield. First prototypes were trialed in 1976. These new weapons were adopted by the British Army in 1984. The L85A1 eventually replaced the FN FAL assault rifles, license-produced in the United Kingdom. It is reported that about 320 000 of the original L85A1 rifles were produced until production completed in 1994. The only export operator of this weapon is Jamaican Defense Force.

   The L85 is a gas operated, selective fire rifle with bullpup layout. Design of this weapon it is generally similar to the US Armalite AR-18. The main advantage of the bullpup layout is the overall compactness of the weapon. This assault rifle is chambered for the standard NATO 5.56 x 45 mm round. It is worth mentioning that the L85A1 assault rifle was plagued with many problems. In general it was quite unreliable and troublesome to maintain.

   The fire mode selector is located well behind the magazine, at the left side of the receiver. It has single shots and full-auto modes. A separate safety button is located above the trigger. It is worth mentioning that the L85A1 is not ambidextrous.

   This weapon is fed from 30 round box-shaped steel magazines. These are the standard NATO STANAG magazines, similar to the US M16 type magazines.

   The standard sighting equipment of the L85A1 is the SUSAT scope with 4x magnification. This scope is mounted on a quick-detachable mount. There is also an emergency open sights. Effective range of the L85A1 is about 500 meters, using a built-in scope. A passive night vision scope can be used in place of the SUSAT. There is an alternative sighting system for these rifles, employed by the second-line troops. These rifles are fitted with detachable carrying handle, with a built-in diopter rear sight.

   This weapon is compatible with knife-bayonet. It's improved models can mount a German Heckler & Koch 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher. This weapon is also capable of launching riffle grenades. A slotted flash suppressor also serves as a mounting base for the bayonet.

Variants

    L85A2 upgraded variant of the original weapon. Upgrade programme was completed by the Heckler & Koch. About 200 000 rifles were upgraded to the L85A2 standard between 2000 and 2002. Currently the L85A2 is the standard service rifle of the British Forces. The upgraded L85A2 is recognized as reliable and accurate weapon. It is compatible with German HK 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher;

   L86A1 light machine gun. Some of it's parts are interchangeable with the L85A1. It has a longer barrel, bipod, shoulder trap and additional grip at the rear. This weapon has a greater effective range;

   L86A2 upgraded variant of the L86A1 light support weapon. Upgrades are similar to that of the L85A2;

   L98A1 a manually operated rifle with it's gas system removed. It is fired as a repeater rifle. This weapon is used to train army cadets;

   L98A2 upgraded variant of the L98A1;

   L22A1 carbine. It is smaller and has a shorter barrel. This weapon was recently adopted with the British Army in small numbers. It is issued to vehicle drivers, artillery and tank crews;

   L22A2 carbine, fitted with additional Picatinny-type rail on the foregrip.