#stg77

Cutaway of the Day: Steyr AUG

Steyr's 'Armee Universal Gewehr' (AUG) was adopted by the Austrian Army in 1977, as the StG-77.  The AUG replaced the Austrian Army's StG-58, a licensed Steyr-produced FN-FAL chambered in 7.62mm.

In the 1970s the Austrian Army sought a new standard rifle to chamber NATO's new smaller 5.56mm round but also wanted a more versatile weapon which could fulfil numerous roles including assault rifle, squad support weapon and submachine gun.  As such the AUG can be chambered in both 5.56x45mm and 9mm parabellum for the role of submachine gun.  There is also a heavy barrelled version which simply has a thicker profile barrel and bipod. 

AUG 9mm submachine gun

The AUG's design was revolutionary being the first bullpup configuration rifle to be adopted by a Western nation and also in its use of metal alloys and aluminium, its polymer stock and being one of the first service rifles to have a built in optic, a 1.5x telescopic sight incorporated into the weapon's carry handle.  The AUG was also one of the first rifles to be ambidextrous, with no fire selector and only a cross bolt safety the rifle can be set up for both left and right handed users by switching the weapon's bolt.  The AUG can be fired semi-automatically and fully automatic without a selector switch by virtue of an ingenious trigger group; the first trigger position allows for single shots.  Pulling the trigger further, past the first position, allows for fully automatic fire. 

Steyr AUG HBAR(Heavy Barrel Automatic rifle)

In 1988, the Australian Army also replaced it's FALs with the F88 Austeyr, a licensed version of the AUG with some variations.  It has since been adopted by nations from around the world including Argentina, New Zealand, Luxembourg, Ireland and Tunisia.

The Steyr AUG has seen action in a number of peacekeeping and military roles with NATO in the hands of both Austrian and Australian troops, most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In recent years, the Austeyr F88 has been criticised for a number of reasons including problems with reliability but also ergonomic shortfalls such as cumbersome combat magazine changes and that the rifle's invariable stock and butt size make it uncomfortable to use while wearing body armour.  While some of these complaints can be accounted for by poor quality and control in the licensed Australian factories some such as the ergonomic complaints could also apply to the AUG's overall design.  Steyr continue to improve on the AUG's design, recently introducing the A3 (see image #2) with further refinements including a rail system for optics and equipment and an improved charging handle.

Image One Source

Image Two Source