Steyr AUG
Steyr Mannlicher · Assault Rifle · In Production · 1978
Also known as: StG 77, Armee Universal Gewehr, F88 Austeyr, IW Steyr, AUG A1, AUG A3
Overview
The Steyr AUG (Armee Universal Gewehr - Universal Army Rifle) is a bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, designed in the late 1960s by Steyr-Daimler-Puch and now manufactured by Steyr Arms. Adopted by the Austrian Army in 1977 as the StG 77, it is one of the most successful bullpup rifles in history and has been adopted by over 30 countries worldwide. The AUG features a distinctive bullpup configuration with the magazine behind the trigger group, allowing for a compact overall length while maintaining a full-length barrel. Its modular design includes quick-change barrels available in multiple lengths (350mm, 406mm, 508mm), an integrated 1.5x optical sight in the carrying handle, and a unique progressive two-stage trigger that allows semi-automatic fire with light pressure and full-automatic fire with additional pressure without a separate selector switch. The weapon uses a gas-operated short-stroke piston system with a rotating bolt and is constructed primarily of fiber-reinforced polyamide polymer, making it lightweight and durable.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4020 g (141.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 790 mm (31.10") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Progressive Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 970 m/s (3182 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1760 J (1298 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 680 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 228 mm (8.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer Reinforced |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer Reinforced |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, SS109, M855
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety, Trigger Safety
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Quick Change Barrel, Integrated Optics, Ambidextrous Operation, Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Picatinny Rail, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel
Variants
- Steyr AUG A1 — Base Model
- Steyr AUG A2 — Modernized
- Steyr AUG A3 — Modernized
- F88 Austeyr — Licensed Production
- F88S-A1 Austeyr — Modernized
- F88S-A2 Austeyr — Modernized
- F88 GLA Austeyr — Grenade Launcher
- Steyr AUG HBAR — Light Machine Gun
- Steyr AUG Para — Submachine Gun
- Steyr AUG Z — Civilian Semi Auto
Service history
Operators
- Austrian Armed Forces · adopted 1977 · as StG 77
- Australian Defence Force · adopted 1988 · as F88 Austeyr
- Irish Defence Forces · adopted 1988 · as Steyr AUG A1
- New Zealand Defence Force · adopted 1988 · as IW Steyr
- Saudi Arabian Armed Forces
- Malaysian Armed Forces · adopted 1991
- Tunisian Armed Forces
- Luxembourg Army
- Moroccan Armed Forces
- Omani Armed Forces
Conflicts
- East Timor Crisis (1999-2002)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- Falklands War (1982-1982)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,000,000 · Production years: 1978-present
Estimated over one million produced including licensed production in Australia; adopted by over 30 countries
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Horst Wesp
Notes
The Australian F88 Austeyr variant, manufactured under license by Thales Australia, features modifications including improved barrel rifling for NATO SS109/M855 ammunition, bayonet mounting capability, and various upgraded variants (F88S-A1, F88S-A2) with Picatinny rails and enhanced gas systems. The AUG's modular design allows conversion between assault rifle, carbine, submachine gun (9mm Para variant), and light machine gun (HBAR) configurations through barrel and bolt changes. The weapon can be configured for left or right-handed operation by switching the ejection port cover and bolt. Later variants (A2, A3) replaced the integrated optic with Picatinny rails for mounting various optical sights and accessories.
Background
The AUG's unique progressive trigger replaced the traditional fire selector: a half-pull fires semi-auto, a full pull fires full-auto. It was one of the first military rifles to extensively use polymer construction, and its futuristic appearance when introduced in the late 1970s earned it the nickname 'the space gun' among soldiers.