Arctic Warfare L96

Summary

Country	🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category	Sniper rifle
Manufacturer	Accuracy International

Technical specifications

Arctic Warfare L96
Fire Rate	Single shot rounds/min.
Caliber	.308 Winchester or .338 Lapua or .300 Winchester Magnum or 7 mm Remington Magnum
Magazine	5 rounds
Length	1270 mm (50.0 in)
Weight	6.8 kg (15.0 lb)
Range	800 m (2625 ft)

Description

The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle developed and produced by the British company Accuracy International. The Accuracy International PM (Precision Marksman) rifle was submitted to a British competition in the early 1980s to replace the British Army's Lee–Enfield derived sniper rifles. The PM rifle was selected and adopted by the British Army in 1982 as the L96A1, fitted with Schmidt & Bender 6×42 telescopic sights designated the L13A1. Later, in the early 1990s, Accuracy International introduced the upgraded AW (Arctic Warfare) version for the Swedish military, which became the primary name for the rifle family. This version was accepted into use by the Swedish Army in 1991 as the Prickskyttegevär 90 (Psg 90). The British Army adopted modifications of the AW, designated L115A1 and L115A2. The Accuracy International AE was introduced in 2001 as a less expensive version primarily for law enforcement, which was updated to the AE Mk III in 2009 before being discontinued. The AT (Accuracy Tactical) model was introduced in 2014 as a more modern variant of the AE for law enforcement and civilian clients. The AX series, a major design evolution based on the AWM, was unveiled in 2010 for long, high-powered super magnum cartridges.

The AW system is a purpose-designed military sniper rifle, distinct from accurised general-purpose rifles. It features a modular design enabling flexibility and repairability. Rather than a conventional stock, it is based on an aluminium chassis (Accuracy International Chassis System or AICS) to which all major components are bolted, including the heavy-walled receiver. Two polymer stock panels are bolted through the chassis. The receiver, machined from forged carbon steel, is a stressed part. The rifle uses a cast steel bolt with six locking lugs, gas relief holes, and milled slots designed to prevent binding from ice or debris. The bolt handle cocks on opening with a 60-degree throw. The two-stage trigger mechanism has an adjustable pull weight. Cartridges are fed from a detachable steel box magazine. The free-floating, heavy, stainless steel barrels are optimized for their chambering and ammunition. A three-position safety lever blocks the firing pin. The AW is typically fitted with an integrated bipod and a monopod on the buttstock. Accessories like telescopic sights (usually Schmidt & Bender PM II), muzzle devices, alternate barrels, and carrying cases are available. The AICS allows for various configurations, including fixed (AICS 1.0), adjustable (AICS 1.5), and folding (AICS 2.0) stock variants.

The Arctic Warfare rifle family includes various models tailored for different applications and calibers. * The original PM rifle was adopted as the L96A1 in the UK.

• The improved AW for cold climates includes variants like the L118A1 (UK), Psg 90 (Sweden), and SR98 (Australia), typically chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO.

• The AWF is an AW with a side-folding stock, designated L118A2 (UK) and Psg 90B (Sweden).

• The AWP (Arctic Warfare Police) version is intended for law enforcement, featuring a black frame and a shorter barrel.

• The AWS (Arctic Warfare Suppressed) has a 16-inch barrel with an integral suppressor for subsonic ammunition use.

The AWC (Arctic Warfare Covert) is a compact AWS variant with a folding stock and shorter barrel/suppressor, transportable in a small suitcase.

Magnum caliber variants include the AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum with a longer bolt and 5-round magazine, adopted by the British (L115A1) and Dutch. The AWM-F features a folding stock and was adopted by Germany (G22 in .300 Win Mag) and the Dutch (.338 Lapua Mag). The AW50 (Arctic Warfare .50 calibre) is chambered for .50 BMG, adopted by the British, Australians, and Germans (G24), with a folding stock variant known as the AW50F (Australia). The AE (Accuracy Enforcement) was a simplified version for law enforcement, later updated to the AE Mk III and replaced by the AT (Accuracy Tactical) for law enforcement and civilian use. The latest AX series includes the multi-calibre AXMC (.338 Lapua Mag, .300 Win Mag, 7.62×51mm NATO), AX308 (7.62×51mm NATO), and AX50 (.50 BMG).

The Arctic Warfare rifle system has seen service in various conflicts, including Operation Granby and Operation Telic with the British forces. The Swedish Psg 90 rifles have been modernized to the Psg 90B standard. The US Special Operations Command uses a variant of the AICS as the Mk 13 Mod 5 rifle, chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum. In April 2018, the U.S. Marine Corps announced they would replace the M40 sniper rifle with the Mk 13 Mod 7, chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum. Certain AWC variants have been used by specialized units such as the USSOCOM 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force), the British Special Air Service, and the German KSK (designated G25).

Users of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare system in 7.62×51mm NATO or smaller chamberings include Australia (SR-98, also law enforcement), Azerbaijan (Special Forces, State Border Service), Bangladesh (Army Black Eagle), Botswana, Cyprus (AXMC variant), Czech Republic (AWF for Special Forces), Greece (EKAM), Indonesia (AW and AX308), Ireland (Army, Army Ranger Wing), Italy (PM, AWS for 9th Parachute Assault Regiment, AWP for Carabinieri), Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia (PM and AW), Netherlands (Korps Commandotroepen, Korps Mariniers, 11th Airmobile Brigade), New Zealand, Pakistan (Special Services Group), Portugal (AI AWSF and AI AXMC for Army), Romania (AWP for Brigada Antiteroristă), Russia (Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Security Service), Sierra Leone (Police), South Africa (Police Special Task Force, Special Forces), Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden (Psg 90), Syria (Special Forces use .338 Lapua Magnum version), United Kingdom (L96A1, L118A1, L115A1, L115A2, L115A3), and United States (designated as the Mk 13 rifle by the Armed Forces).