L85A2

The L85A2 is a British bullpup assault rifle in the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, part of the SA80 family. It was developed as an improved version of the original L85A1 and entered service with the British Armed Forces in the early 2000s, remaining the standard service rifle for many years. The L85A2 was produced after widespread reliability concerns with the L85A1 during field operations, and it represents a major refurbishment program overseen by Royal Ordnance and its successors.

Development and upgrades were driven by the need for greater reliability, durability, and consistency across varied conditions. The L85A2 incorporated a redesigned action, revised barrel and gas system, a new trigger group, and updated furniture and components. A significant portion of L85A1 rifles were refurbished to the L85A2 standard, with improvements intended to reduce stoppages and improve accuracy in harsh environments, including deserts and extreme cold.

Design and features include the bullpup configuration, a 30-round detachable magazine, and a gas-operated, rotating bolt mechanism. The A2 variant featured improvements to handling, a redesigned handguard, and enhanced mounting for accessories and sights. The rifle retains compatibility with standard NATO 5.56mm ammunition and is designed for use in conventional infantry roles, with selectable fire modes typical of service rifles of its era.

Operational use and legacy: The L85A2 served as the backbone of British infantry rifle capabilities for many years and is credited with addressing the major reliability problems of the L85A1. It formed the basis for later developments in the SA80 family, including subsequent updates such as the L85A3.