L85 (SA-80)
Summary
| Country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Category | Bullpup assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | Endfield Entreprises |
Technical specifications
| L85 (SA-80) | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 650 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | 30 rounds |
| Length | 780 mm (30.7 in) |
| Weight | 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) |
| Range | 500 m (1640 ft) |
Description
The SA80 is a family of 5.56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army. The L85 rifle variant has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle. The concept originated from post-WWII intermediate weapon development, including the EM-2 rifle. Prototypes for the SA80 were created in 1976, evolving from experimental weapons chambered in the British 4.85×49mm cartridge. Influenced by the Armalite AR-18, development led to the XL85/XL86 prototypes chambered in 5.56mm NATO. Accepted into service in 1985, initial production of the A1 variant by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock (later Royal Ordnance Nottingham) ran from 1985 to 1994, manufacturing over 370,000 units across the L85/L86/L98 variants. An A2 upgrade by Heckler & Koch in the early 2000s converted 200,000 weapons for reliability improvements. The A3 variant, featuring further modifications and weight reduction, was first issued in 2018 and is intended for service beyond 2025.
The SA80 system utilizes a selective fire gas-operated design with a short-stroke piston located above the barrel and a three-position adjustable gas regulator. It employs a rotating cylindrical bolt. The bullpup layout includes a forward-mounted pistol grip for compactness. Primarily intended for right-handed use due to ejection port location, it features a hammer-fired mechanism with semi-automatic and automatic fire modes via a lever on the left, a cross bolt safety, and a left-side magazine and bolt release. The barrel has a flash eliminator serving as a mounting point. The receiver is stamped steel with synthetic furniture. Sighting has evolved from the SUSAT and iron sights to modern optics mounted on rail adapters, compatible with night vision and reflex sights. It feeds from STANAG magazines, with aluminium, steel, and polymer types in use, including dedicated blank magazines. The L85 Rifle is issued with the L3A1 multi-utility bayonet. Operational accessories include Laser Light Modules and foregrips.
The SA80 family includes four main variants:
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The L85 Rifle, the standard individual weapon, compatible with Underslung Grenade Launchers
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The L86 Light Support Weapon, featuring a longer heavy barrel and integrated bipod for fire support, later used in a designated marksman role, and withdrawn from service in 2019
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The L22 Carbine, a short-barreled version issued to vehicle crews and for use in confined spaces
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The L98 Cadet GP Rifle, a manual single-shot weapon used by cadet forces
A .22 Rimfire training variant, the L402A1, was developed in 2021.
The SA80 has been used in all conflicts involving the British Armed Forces since its introduction in the early 1980s, including Operation Banner, Operation Granby, Operation Grapple, Operation Palliser, operations in the War in Afghanistan (Veritas, Jacana, Herrick, Toral), and Operation Telic. Fixed bayonets on the L85 were used in combat during the Battle of Al Amara in 2004 and in the Afghanistan conflict.
The SA80 is standard issue to the British Armed Forces (L85, L86, L22 variants) and British Community Cadet Forces and Combined Cadet Force (L98, L86 variants). Users also include the Royal Bermuda Regiment (L85A2), Falkland Islands Defence Force (L85A2), Royal Gibraltar Regiment, and the Jamaica Defence Force. Countries that received the weapon as part of British military aid include Bolivia, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. It is also used in joint British-Ukrainian training. Historic users include British Hong Kong, as well as non-state users such as Northern Ireland Loyalist paramilitaries and the West Side Boys in Sierra Leone.