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Manufacturer: Steyr-Mannlicher AG
Caliber: 5.56X45mm NATO (.223 Remington)
Length: 31.0in (790mm)
Weight Unloaded: 7lb 15oz (3.60kg)
Barrel: 20in (508mm), 6 grooves, 1:9 right hand twist
Magazine: 30rd, 42rd detachable box
Muzzle velocity: ~3280fps (1000m/sec)
Cyclic Rate: 600rpm
Modes of Fire: Semi auto, fully automatic
The Steyr Armee Universal Gewehr (AUG) is so called since by simply swapping out the barrel, the weapon can function as a submachine gun (in this case a 9x19 magazine adapter is needed), a carbine, a rifle, a sniping weapon, or a light squad support weapon. All models normally come with a 1.5x scope mounted within the carry handle; however, by replacing the reciever casting it is possible to mount electro-optical scopes on the AUG. A rudimentary set of pistol-like sights are cast into the top of the optical sight in case the lenses break or fog. The AUG is currently in use by the Austrialians, Austrians, Irish, New Zealanders, Tunisian, and Omani armies. It was introduced in 1978.
The AUG is a bullpup style weapon of futuristic appearance. The stock is made out of high impact plastic, and covers nearly everything that can be broken on the rifle. The reciever is of aluminum with steel inserts for barrel lugs and bolt guides. The optical sight/carry handle is an integral part of the reciever. The flash suppressor is permanently attached to the barrel, and it is internally threaded to take a NATO standard rifle grenade. The foreward hand grip can fold forward in all except for the SMG variants (so that you can't blow your hand off). The magazine is transparent, so that the remaining amount of ammunition can be checked.
The AUG is somewhat unusual in not having a selector switch. There is a cross-bolt push button behind and above the pistol grip to set the weapon to 'safe' or 'fire,' but to actually put the weapon into fully automatic, one pulls the trigger fully to the rear. For semi-automatic fire, the trigger is pulled about halfway back. Although it sounds unintuitive, with a bit of practice, the rifle becomes easy to handle.
The AUG can be fitted to either left or right handed firers. This is done by removing the bolt, putting in one for the proper hand, and blocking off the appropriate ejection port with a dust cover. The entire process takes but a few minutes.
The AUG is gas operated, and has had quite a good field record. The Austrialian AUGs do have reports of problems, but it seems to be a problem with the manufacturing of the weapon under liscence (particularily in Austrailia, where jams with the weapon, particularily with the M203 attachment, were frequent. The problem, I hear, is being worked on), and not with any inherent properties of the weapon itself. The AUG can take a number of accessories, including the US made M203 grenade launcher. Although no fitting for a bayonet was originally provided (the Austrians, the original purchasers of the weapon, felt that bayonets are archaic and inhumane), one can be clamped to the barrel. The weapon has a barrel just as long as the M16's, but the entire weapon is over a foot shorter. Such is the miracle of the bullpup style layout.
