Editing SA80 (section)

==Variants==
There are four main variants that make up the SA80 family: the '''L85 Rifle''', the '''L86 Light Support Weapon''', the '''L22 Carbine''' and the '''L98 Cadet rifle'''.

===Rifle===
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 | image1 = Charles Suilen at Sierra Prieta-L85A2.jpg
 | caption1 = [[Netherlands Marine Corps|Royal Netherlands Marine Corps]] captain aiming an L85A2 with SUSAT and polymer handguard
 | image2 = SA80-A2 with Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL) MOD 45160296.jpg
 | caption2 = L85A2 with Elcan LDS and L123 UGL, including Rapid Acquisition Aiming Module
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The '''L85 Rifle''',<ref name=AC718072011/> referred to on occasion as the '''L85 Individual Weapon (IW)''',<ref name=MoD_Army_PDF/> is the standard rifle for the British Armed Forces.<ref>[https://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/small-arms-and-support-weapons/#:~:text=SA80%20A2%20comprises%20the%20Individual,standard%205.56%20x%2045mm%20ammunition Equipment. Small arms and support weapons]</ref>

When initially adopted for service, the L85's grenade-launching ability was fulfilled by then-conventional rifle grenades, namely the L74A1 [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) and L75A1 HEAT-APERS versions of the Luchaire grenade; when these experienced problems with premature detonation, the [[Rifle Grenade General Service|L85A1 HE grenade]] was adopted in their place. Various underbarrel [[grenade launcher]] models were trialled, including the [[M203]] and a proprietary "Enfield Close Assault Weapon" developed by Royal Ordnance.{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=64}} It was eventually decided that the [[Heckler & Koch AG36|L17A2/L123]] [[40 mm grenade#40×46 mm LV (40 mm Low Velocity)|40mm]] Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL) should be adopted; this is issued on a scale of one per fireteam,<ref name=Infantry_Platoon_Tactics_09>{{cite book|author=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)]] |title=Army Code No. 71882, Infantry Tactical Doctrine Volume 1, Pamphlet No. 3 Infantry Platoon Tactics|year=2009}}</ref> and is used with fragmentation, [[High-explosive anti-tank#High-explosive dual-purpose|high-explosive dual-purpose]] (HEDP), red phosphorus,<ref name="Rhien">{{cite web |url=https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/de/media/editor_media/rm_defence/publicrelations/pressemitteilungen/2011_5/2011-09-13_40mm_ammunition.pdf |title=Leading system supplier of 40mm weapons, ammunition and fire control technology |website=Rheinmetall Defence |date=13 September 2011}}</ref> white illuminating parachute, infra-red illuminating parachute, practice, and drill ammunition,<ref name=AC718072004/><ref name=AC718072011/> with buckshot ammunition also being intended for adoption.<ref name=modl85/> The addition of the UGL adds another 1.12&nbsp;kg to the L85A2's weight.<ref name=MoD_Army_PDF/>

===Light Support Weapon===
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 | image1 = L86A2 LSW.jpg
 | caption1 = L86A2 LSW
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 | caption2 = British soldier providing instruction on the L86 to a Polish serviceman during the 2008 Kozacki Step exercises
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The '''L86 Light Support Weapon (LSW)''' is a magazine-fed [[squad automatic weapon]] originally intended to provide fire support at a [[fireteam]] level. The weapon has a heavier, longer {{convert|646|mm|inch}} barrel than the rifle and features a shorter handguard with an integrated bipod protruding from the front.<ref name=modl86>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/23231.aspx |title=Light support weapon |publisher=Army.mod.uk |access-date=2009-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210175443/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/23231.aspx |archive-date=2015-12-10}}</ref> The stock has a shoulder strap to take the weapon's weight in the prone position and a rear vertical grip for better control of the weapon when firing bursts. The weapon is otherwise identical to the L85 version on which it is based, and the same magazines and sighting systems are used.<ref name=AC71374/> In addition to British Armed Forces use, the LSW was adopted by MOD-sponsored cadet organisations.<ref name="AC71807C">{{cite book|publisher=Ministry of Defence |id=AC71807-C |title =Cadet Training, The L98A2 Cadet GP Rifle (5.56 mm), L86A2 Light Support Weapon and Associated Equipment |year=2014}}</ref>

The increased barrel length, bipod and the optical performance of the SUSAT give the weapon excellent accuracy, increased muzzle velocity and greater effective range. From its inception, the L86 was a target of criticism on much the same basis as the L85.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The LSW has the additional issue of its inability to deliver sustained automatic fire as it lacks a belt feed. This is common with any light support weapon derived from a rifle, for example the heavy-barrel FN FAL.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/jul/31/military.uk |title=Don't Buy British|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=31 July 2004| location=London |first=Max |last=Hastings}}</ref>

While the LSW was supposed to replace the L7A2 GPMG at the section level, the weapon's shortcomings meant that many units reverted to the GPMG, or held onto it if it had not already been replaced. The role of a LSW was ultimately filled by the [[FN Minimi]], known in service as the L110A1-A3 light machine gun, a belt fed weapon with a quick-change barrel in the same way as the GPMG.{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=35}} Owing to its high level of accuracy in semi-automatic mode,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hogg |first1=Ian |last2=Weeks |first2=John |title=Military Small Arms of the 20th Century|year=1991|publisher=Arms and Armour Press|location=London|isbn=978-1-854-09034-8|page=293}}</ref> the primary use of the L86 shifted to that of a [[designated marksman rifle]] following the introduction of the L110A1.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=23 June 2020|publisher=[[British Army]]|title=The Infantry - Small Arms in the Section|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/current_equipment/the_infantry_small_arms_in_the_section.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227111053/http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/current_equipment/the_infantry_small_arms_in_the_section.htm |archive-date=27 December 2005|quote=With the introduction of the Light Machine Gun (LMG), the LSW will be used for longer range (600-800m), accurate, suppressive fire. It will become the sharpshooter system of the section to out-range any potential threat.}}</ref> It was replaced in this role by the [[L129A1]] Sharpshooter Rifle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Taking-Back-The-Infantry-Half-km-Britains-L129A1-06426/|title=Taking Back The Infantry Half-km: Britain's L129A1|date=8 June 2010 |work=Defense Industry Daily |author=staff}}</ref> The L86 was withdrawn from service in 2019.<ref name=SOLDIERMAG/>

===Carbine===
[[File:HMS Somerset Boarding Team Member During Exercise MOD 45153732.jpg|thumb|right|Royal Marines boarding team member with an L22 Carbine]]

The length savings offered by the SA80's bullpup design meant that initially there were no plans for a carbine variant. By 1984, an extremely short prototype model was developed. The barrel terminated immediately in front of the pistol grip, which in combination with the lack of any sort of foregrip or handguard presented a risk of self-inflicted gunshot injuries if the firer's left hand was to slip forward. Two further prototypes appeared in 1989 and 1994. The former was slightly longer than the previous model at an overall length {{convert|556|mm|in|abbr=on}} with a {{convert|289|mm|in|abbr=on}} barrel and used the rear grip from the LSW as a foregrip, while the latter used a 17.4-inch barrel (442&nbsp;mm) with an overall {{convert|709|mm|in|abbr=on}} length and was fitted with the handguard from the LSW.{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=24}}

The fourth attempt (2003–2004) is the only one to officially be adopted, being known as the '''L22 Carbine''' in British service. It resembles the 1989 model, including the foregrip which is now a purpose-made component which can be adjusted by the end user, but is constructed to A2 standards and has a {{convert|318|mm|in|abbr=on}} barrel and an overall length of 565&nbsp;mm. Around 1,500 were manufactured from surplus L86 LSWs. More were built with the increased demand, bringing the total to around 2,000.{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=25}} The shortened barrel means that the carbine is less accurate than the rifle variant, especially at longer ranges. The official manual gives an effective range of 200&nbsp;m while stating that the weapon's effectiveness beyond this is entirely dependent on the firer's skill.<ref name=AC718072011/>

The version that was finally accepted for service was introduced during the A2 upgrade programme<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/sa80-history-l22a2-and-experimental-l85-carbines/|title=SA80 History: L22A2 and Experimental L85 Carbines|date=24 May 2017|website=forgottenweapons.com|access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> - official documentation disagrees over whether to refer to the weapon as the L22A1<ref name=AC718072004/><ref name=AC718072011/> or L22A2.<ref name=AC70166/> Initially issued to tank and armoured vehicle crews for emergency action out of vehicle ([[personal defense weapon]] use), the L22's compact size has led it to being used by the Royal Marines Fleet Protection Group as well as helicopter pilots, [[armoured fighting vehicle]] crews and dog handlers of all three service branches.{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=25}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Neville |first1=Leigh |title=The British Army in Afghanistan 2006–14: Task Force Helmand |date=2015 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn=9781472806758 |page=10}}</ref>

20-round STANAG magazines were introduced to allow for a more compact weapon for use in [[Armoured fighting vehicle|AFVs]] and other vehicles and 30-round magazines are compatible.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-24 |title=British Enfield SA80 Part 6: Carbines - Armament Research Services (ARES) |url=https://armamentresearch.com/british-enfield-sa80-part-6-carbines/#:~:text=A%2020%20round%20magazine%20is%20available%20to%20maintain%20the%20weapon%E2%80%99s%20compact%20silhouette%20as%20befits%20an%20AFV%20crew%20PDW,%20but%20of%20course%20the%20standard%2030%20round%20magazine%20of%20the%20rifle/LSW%20is%20interchangeable |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=armamentresearch.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Cadet General Purpose Rifle <span class="anchor" id="L98 Cadet General Purpose Rifles"></span>===
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 | image1 = L98 target rifle.JPG
 | caption1 = [[Sea Cadets (United Kingdom)|Sea Cadet]] firing the now-retired L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle
 | image2 = L98 A2 DP Rifle.JPG
 | caption2 = L103A2 Drill Purpose version of the L98A2 Cadet GP Rifle. This particular example lacks the front sight post.
}}
The '''L98 Cadet General Purpose (GP) Rifle''' is used for weapons training by the [[Combined Cadet Force]] and [[Community Cadet Forces]]. The L98A2 is identical to the L85A2 rifle save for the absence of fully automatic capability and a plain foresight blade without a tritium insert.{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=24}}

The initial L98A1 version was introduced in 1987 to replace the [[.303 British|.303]] [[Lee–Enfield#Rifle No 4 Mk I|Lee–Enfield No 4 rifles]] and [[Bren gun|.303 Bren guns]] in the Army Cadet Force, which had not been replaced by the [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|SLR]] owing to that weapon's weight and recoil being deemed as too much for young cadets.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rifleman.org.uk/BSA_and_Parker-Hale_Experimental_GP-cadet_rifles.html | title=Historic small-bore Enfield rifles, training rifles and BSA rifles; plus league competitions }}</ref> The GP Rifle had no such problems,{{Sfn|Grant|2016|p=24}} and its suitability for cadet use was emphasised in official documentation.<ref name=AC71462>{{cite book|author=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)]] |title=Army Code No. 71462, The Cadet Training Manual Volume I|year=1990}}</ref>  It was similar to the L85A1 but lacked the gas components, instead being a manually operated, [[single-shot]] weapon, with a cocking handle extension piece mounted on the right side of the weapon for this purpose. It was also distinguishable by the absence of a flash eliminator and only being fitted with standard iron sights. 

In 2018 a number of cadet weapons were stolen, and some later recovered after a theft in the North of England. This lead to a review of the rules around the cadet forces use and storage of such weapons. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/two-arrested-after-loaded-british-25455035 | title=Two arrested after loaded British Army issue assault rifle found buried in park | date=8 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65727894 | title=Machine guns among weapons lost by UK armed forces | work=BBC News | date=26 May 2023 }}</ref>

===L402A1 0.22 Small Bore Rifle===

A [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 Rimfire]] calibre based on the L85A2 was developed by Heckler & Koch in 2021. This rifle's operation is simple blow-back with both its mechanism and magazine similar to that of the L41A1 ‘Kit Conversion’.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Richard |title=H&K develops smaller-calibre SA-80 assault rifle for training |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/hk-develops-smaller-calibre-sa-80-assault-rifle-for-training |website=Janes.com |access-date=12 February 2023 |language=en |date=18 May 2021}}</ref>