L85A1/A2/A3 - SA80 Assault Rifle

[Lord Jim]

Cheers for the info. The only thing I think the M4 Carbine has going for it is it is very cheap. In every other way it is surpassed by other weapons including the L85A2/A3.

[ArmChairCivvy]

MILAN came into service and the widespread adoption of the LAW 66 and LAW 80.

Good to draw the line between "team" weapons - with its heavy rounds the CG falls onto that side of the fence - and those that can be carried by individuals as extra "insurance"
- the newest and lightest Spike has crossed the border (but does not on its own remove the need for the 'extra insurance')

Bearing in mind the header for the thread: in infantry sections/platoons you also need 'riflemen'

[Lord Jim]

Well after all the tinkering H&K have done, the L85A3 should do the job until the next generation of small arms comes on stream with a possible new calibre. Saying that it seems the A3 outperforms many other 5.56mm rifles, if the 600m effective fire range is true, matching some 7.62 equivalents. I wonder if the DMR might get improved sights similar to those on the Sniper Team No2 weapon to extend its accurate range out beyond that of the L83A3. With the 600m range the British Army now have the weapon they wanted in Afghanistan.