L86 LSW

E36251

The L86 LSW is the light support weapon variant of the British SA80 family, designed to provide sustained, accurate automatic fire at the squad level.

Aliases (1)

Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf firearm
light support weapon
squad automatic weapon
action gas-operated
barrelLength longer than L85 rifle barrel
basedOn L85 rifle
caliber 5.56 mm
cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO
configuration bullpup
countryOfOrigin United Kingdom
crewServed no
designedBy Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield
designedFor sustained automatic fire at squad level
familyDesignation SA80 LSW
feature reinforced barrel for sustained fire
feedSystem 30-round detachable box magazine
STANAG magazine compatible
fireModes fully automatic
semi-automatic
hasVariant L86A1
L86A2
improvedTo L86A2
intendedAdvantage greater accuracy at range
increased effective range over L85
introducedIn 1980s
magazineCapacity 30 rounds
manufacturer Heckler & Koch (for A2 upgrade)
Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield
militaryDesignation L86A1
L86A2
mounting fixed bipod
operation rotating bolt
partOf SA80 family
primaryRole section support weapon
reliabilityImprovedBy A2 upgrade program
replacedBy FN Minimi (L110) in many roles
secondaryRole designated marksman weapon in some units
selectFire yes
serviceEntry late 1980s
shoulderFired yes
sightSystem optical sight as standard
standardOptic SUIT/ SUSAT optical sight (earlier service)
status largely superseded as primary section LSW
usedBy British Army
Royal Marines
usedInConflict Gulf War
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
L86 LSW ("SA80 LSW")
familyDesignation
SA80 assault rifle
hasVariant

Please wait…