Accuracy International L115

Accuracy International L115 History

Since the days of the rifle, snipers have played a vital role in battlefield operations, covering a variety of mission types from reconnaissance, surveillance and precision strikes. As a result, the world's major military powers have been spending large sums of money to train and equip capable snipers among their traditional military personnel.

The L115 is one such system that, when paired with highly skilled British military snipers, can deliver devastating strikes from thousands of meters away. This flexibility on the battlefield becomes an invaluable asset for modern warfare planners and ensures that the sniper continues to be a relevant element of the "Warrior of Tomorrow".

Accept AWSM as L115

The British military adopted the Accuracy International AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum) and applied. The 338 Lapua Magnum cartridge was used as a standardized sniper rifle and the "L115" series designation was applied to the system. The L115 claims to be able to hit targets 600 yards away in the first round, with an attack range of up to 1,100 yards. Capable of operating with lethal accuracy day and night, optional optics greatly help snipers ensure lethal delivery.

Unlike the Accuracy International L96A1 sniper rifle still in use by the British Army (at the time of writing), the newer L115 uses heavier caliber 8.59mm cartridges, five of which fit in a detachable box magazine. Heavier cartridges are designed to delay the possibility of the cartridge "deflecting" along its trajectory when fired from a distance. The 5-round magazine is inserted directly in front of the trigger group from the bottom of the receiver, and is specially designed as a short protrusion so as not to interfere with the delicate sniping process.

The optional Schmidt & Bender Day Scope magnifies the target up to 25x and mounts on an accessory rail on the receiver. Bipods are used for front-free support and provide extra stability while shooting. The stock also includes a shoulder pad for increased user comfort.

The receiver retains the one-piece pistol grip with the associated thumb hole, and the trigger is protected by an elongated trigger ring. The barrel protrudes far from the gun body.

L115 sniper rifle in action

The first L115 models to reach the British military were designated L115A1. They are used with Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 PM II telescopic sights.

The L115A1 joined the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines, and saw extensive combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001 and 2003 respectively.

L115A3

At the end of 2007, the British Ministry of Defence issued the Sniper System Improvement Plan (SSIP). The purchase included an improved form of the base L115, which became the L115A3. Delivery of the new system began in May 2008 and led to combat operations in Afghanistan. The L115A3 uses an S&B 5-25x56 PM II LP oscilloscope with integrated zoom, illumination, focus, parallax, elevation and rudder controls.

A silencer has been added to the barrel, which helps reduce muzzle flash and noise while keeping snipers hidden - even after they fire. The shoulder rest can now be folded along the side of the receiver to improve the portability of the weapon on the march and allow for transport in a backpack.

The L115A3 has an adjustable cheek plate on the top of the shoulder, ideal for snipers who need to observe targets for hours. Unlike the L115A1, the L115A3's bipod can be adjusted and adjusted to the operator's own needs. Additionally, the L115A3 has a monopod ("buttspike") on the bottom of the stock for improved stability.

Other parts of the SSIP related to the L115A3 include the use of a heavy duty tripod, scope and laser rangefinder - really making the L115 a complete sniper kit.

L115 as record holder

Notably, in November 2009, a British Army sniper holding an L115 successfully engaged and defeated two Taliban machine gunners from 2,707 yards, the most in history. Long record for sniper kills. The rifle used was the L115A3 type.

International L115 Specification for Accuracy

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes