AUG / HBAR
Summary
| Country | 🇦🇹 Austria |
| Category | Bullpup assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | Steyr |
Technical specifications
| AUG / HBAR | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 650 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | 30 ou 42 rounds |
| Length | 805 mm (31.7 in) |
| Weight | 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) |
| Range | 500 m (1640 ft) |
Description
The Steyr AUG (Armee-Universal-Gewehr) is an Austrian bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, designed in the 1960s by Steyr-Daimler-Puch and currently manufactured by Steyr Arms GmbH & Co KG. It was adopted by the Austrian Army in 1977 as the StG 77, replacing the StG 58 (7.62×51mm NATO). Production has continued since 1977, and it serves as the standard small arm for the Bundesheer and various Austrian federal police units. Variants have been adopted by the armed forces of numerous countries. Importation to the United States began in the 1980s but faced restrictions due to import bans in 1989 and manufacturing prohibitions under the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004. Since 2008, parts production has occurred in the US.
The Steyr AUG is a selective-fire, gas-piston-operated bullpup rifle firing from a closed bolt. It was designed as a modular weapon system capable of being converted between assault rifle, carbine, submachine gun, and light machine gun configurations. It is primarily chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, typically with a 1:9 rifling twist, although some nations use a 1:7 twist. Submachine gun variants are chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum or .40 S&W. The design incorporates polymers and aluminium components, and consists of six interchangeable assemblies: barrel, receiver with sight/rail, bolt carrier, trigger mechanism, stock, and magazine. The rifle also features a quick-change barrel system with an integrated folding vertical grip and a 3-position gas valve. The rotating bolt has 7 radial locking lugs, and the firing mechanism, largely polymer, is housed in the stock and features a progressive trigger, providing semi-automatic fire with a partial pull and automatic fire with a full pull, controlled by a cross-bolt safety. Left-handed conversion is possible by changing the bolt and ejection port cover plate. Standard magazines are proprietary translucent polymer 30- or 42-round box types, while optional stocks allow the use of STANAG magazines. Receivers feature either an integrated 1.5× optical sight or Picatinny rails.
Notable variants include:
- The base AUG A1 with integrated optic
- The A2 and A3 with detachable sight/Picatinny rail
- The A3 SF with additional rails
- The HBAR (Heavy Barrelled Automatic Rifle) or LMG variant with a heavier barrel and bipod, firing from an open bolt
- 9mm Parabellum (.40 S&W variant available) submachine gun variants (AUG 9mm/Para, AUG A3 9mm XS) using blowback operation
Nation-specific variants include the Austrian StG 77 and its modernizations (KPE, A1 MP, A1 MOD), the Australian F88 Austeyr series (F88, F88C, F88T, F88S, F88SA1, F88SA1C, F88SA2) and the enhanced EF88 (F90 for export), the Irish Mod 14 upgrade of the AUG A1, and the New Zealand IW Steyr. Civilian semi-automatic variants and international clones also exist.
The Steyr AUG has seen operational use in conflicts including the Gulf War, Somali Civil War (by Unified Task Force), Kosovo War, East Timorese crises (1999 and 2006), Militias-Comando Vermelho Conflict, Syrian Civil War, War in Iraq, and the Papua conflict.
The AUG is in service with military forces in Argentina, Australia (F88 Austeyr/EF88), Austria (StG 77), Bangladesh, Bolivia, Central African Republic, Croatia (Special Forces), Djibouti, Ecuador, Gambia, Indonesia (Special Forces), Ireland (Standard issue; Special Forces use A2/A3), Italy (Carabinieri Special Forces), Luxembourg (Standard issue; HBAR as support weapon), Malaysia, Morocco, Montenegro (Special Forces), Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea (F88), Philippines (Scout Rangers), Poland (JW Grom), Romania (Special Forces), Saudi Arabia, Serbia (72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion), Tunisia (Primary weapon), Turkey (Maroon Berets), Ukraine (Sokil Special Forces use HBAR), and Uruguay. Law enforcement users include Austria (EKO Cobra), Belgium (Federal Police), Brazil (Agência Brasileira de Inteligência, São Paulo Police .40 S&W), Bulgaria (SOBT), Czech Republic (several police units 9mm), Germany (Bavarian SEK), Indonesia (Mobile Brigade Corps, Detachment 88), Luxembourg (Unité Spéciale de la Police), Malaysia (69 Commando), Timor Leste (National Police), Turkey (Police Special Operations Department), and Venezuela (SEBIN). Non-state users have included Islamic State (Military) and Syrian National Coalition. Former users include Australia (Victoria Police Special Operations Group), New Zealand (1988-2019), United Kingdom, Falkland Islands (being replaced), and United States (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).