Steyr AUG-LMG

Light Machine Gun (LMG)

Austria | 1978

"The AUG-HBAR Light Machine Gun is nothing more than a heavy-barreled form of the 5.56mm standard AUG assault rifle."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/10/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Left side view of the Steyr AUG-LMG clearly showcasing its origins in the AUG assault rifle; note transparent magazine, foldable bipod and integrated carrying handle

The AUG-LMG "Light Machine Gun" is a gas-operated weapon system developed by Steyr-Mannlicher GmbH of Austria from the base modular AUG assault rifle family line. The AUG family was a revolutionary, if somewhat futuristic-looking, bullpup weapons design of the late 1970s that featured base components across an assault rifle, carbine and light machine gun type, differing mainly in length of the barrel for the appropriate role. The AUG-LMG is categorized as a "light-support machine gun" and can be used by infantry squads to suppress enemy positions or support offensive-minded infantry actions. Beyond its lengthened heavy-duty barrel, the major difference between the AUG assault rifle and the AUG-LMG is its automatic firing action from an open bolt.

Externally, the AUG-LMG follows closely with the clean lines of the original AUG weapon family and maintains its fully ambidextrous offerings, making it equally useful for left- or right-handed shooters. Such operation is made possible by replacing the bolt per operator discretion. The design is dominated by the large stock holding the action, magazine and feed aft of the trigger group. The trigger is encircled by a hand guard that connects the pistol grip to the underside of the receiver. Spent shell casings are ejected through a port located along the upper portion of the rear stock. Like other AUG weapons, the AUG-LMG features a built-in optical sight, integrated along the top of the receiver, and offers 1.5x viewing. The scope housing also doubles as the weapon's carrying handle for portability. A foldable vertical foregrip is situated ahead of the trigger group. The long featureless barrel extends away from the receiver and is fitted with a special muzzle brake/compensator intended to retard the weapon's recoil action to an extent. Under the barrel, close to the muzzle, is a collapsible bipod. The weapon maintains a running length of 900mm with the barrel being 621mm with six-grooves and a right-hand twist. Rate-of-fire is limited to roughly 750 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 3,198 feet per second. Empty weight is a manageable 4.03 kilograms.

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The AUG-LMG fires the standard NATO 5.56x45mm rimless cartridge from a 30- or 42-round box magazine. Magazines are curved in the traditional nature for improved ergonomics when handling in the heat of combat and are made slightly transparent so the operator can instantly visually recognize the remaining ammunition count. Use of box magazines also restricts the effective rate-of-fire for the AUG-LMG when compared to her belt-fed contemporaries but continuous fire is improved - some 300 rounds can be fired without overheating issues for the barrel.

The AUG-LMG exists in one other production form as the AUG-LMG T. Essentially identical to the AUG-LMG system, the AUG LMG T does away with the integrated optics sight in the carrying handle and, instead, makes use of an accessories rail for thermal imaging, optical or electro-optical sight devices. The standard scope is a 4x Schmidt & Bender telescopic sight.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Steyr AUG-LMG. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

900 mm
35.43 in
O/A Length

621 mm
24.45 in
Barrel Length

8.88 lb
4.03 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated; Selective Fire
Action

5.56x45mm NATO
Caliber(s)

30- or 42-Round Detachable Box
Feed

1.5x Built-In Optics
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Steyr AUG-LMG. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

984 ft
299.9 m | 328.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

750
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

3,198 ft/sec
975 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Steyr AUG-LMG Light Machine Gun (LMG) family line.

AUG-LMG - Light Machine Gun form based on AUG HBAR; open bolt; 4x optic scope.

AUG LMG-T - Based on AUG-LMG; AUG P Special Receiver-type rail system.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Steyr AUG-LMG. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Steyr-Mannlicher AG - Austria

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[ Austria; Germany; Indonesia; Italy; Pakistan; Saudi Arabia ]

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Left side view of the Steyr AUG-LMG clearly showcasing its origins in the AUG assault rifle; note transparent magazine, foldable bipod and integrated carrying handle

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

FIRE SUPPORT

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

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Going Further...
The Steyr AUG-LMG Light Machine Gun (LMG) appears in the following collections:

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