POTD: British Soldier with Alternative Individual Weapons (AIW)

by Eric B

Published: February 1st, 2024

Photo Of The Day and we start out strong with the Knight’s Armament KS-1, United Kingdom’s newly selected Alternative Individual Weapons system, or the L403A1. This image is part of the U.K. Ministry Of Defense’s Best of Defence Imagery 2023, and we understand why it was selected.

Here is the full caption, containing a lot of details:

A soldier from the Ranger Regiment poses with the new Alternative Individual Weapons (AIW) system at Lulworth Training area.
The Hunter contract is worth £90M and will have provision to procure up to a maximum of 10,000 Alternative Individual Weapons (AIW) systems. An AIW system consists of:
• Rifle with Signature Reduction System (SRS),
• Magnified optic sight and Mini Red Dot (MRD) sight,
• Training solution – Safe Blank Firing System & Marker Round Training System.
• New rifle provides UK troops with an improved lethal capability on the battlefield.
• Rifle more discreet through sight and hearing signature reduction.
• Up to 10,000 weapons could be procured over the next 10 years.
British troops will soon be more lethal on the battlefield, as a new £90 million contract delivers modern, high precision rifles.
The Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) system – known as the L403A1 and procured by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) under Project HUNTER – is made up of a new assault rifle fitted with a muzzle signature reduction system and an improved optical sighting system.
The AIW is a modern rifle using the latest in design technology and manufacturing methods, to produce an exceptionally reliable and accurate weapon. The magnified optic means the user is able to engage threats from greater distances; whilst the signature reduction system works to mask the AIW from detection from sight and hearing.
Supplementing the current in-service L85A3, the AIW system has been secured under a £90 million contract with Macclesfield-based company Edgar Brothers, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by helping sustain approximately 50 jobs at the family-owned company.

For a deeper understanding and background, please read this: UK Selects New Assault Rifle

#L85A3 #L403A1 #ProjectHunter #KnightsArmamentKS-1 #AlternativeIndividualWeapons #AIW

Eric B

Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.

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9 of 16 comments

Forrest1985 on Feb 02, 2024

I’m glad to see a move away from the L85 but I wish it was the “Replacement Individual Weapon system” rather than an alternative.

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- See 5 previous
- Heat is overrated on Feb 02, 2024
  
  @forrest1985 The main army is still going to use the L85. This is for units like the Royal marine commandos and the ranger regiment.
  
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- Kinetics on Feb 02, 2024
  
  @forrest1985 The replacement for the L85 is coming next year via Project Grayburn. This was the result of Project Hunter. They wanted to get the SOF unique weapons out of the way first before trying on the general issue rifles.
  We can assume the normal bidders will be around for Grayburn, HK, FN (if they get their sh!t together), Glock will likely re-bid, I wouldn’t be surprised to see B&T or Beretta bid as well.
  The big one is Sig. Sig was the runner up for Project Hunter. Interestingly, Sig was teamed with importation house Edgar Brothers (the same importer for Knight’s).
  Sig announced an “agreement for distribution” with Accuracy International right before SHOT…which makes me think it’s a licensing deal for production in the UK…which would likely be a big deal in terms of the competition.
  
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- Kinetics on Feb 02, 2024
  
  @forrest1985 The replacement for the L85 is coming next year via Project Grayburn. This was the result of Project Hunter. They wanted to get the SOF unique weapons out of the way first before trying on the general issue rifles.
  We can assume the normal bidders will be around for Grayburn, HK, FN (if they get their stuff together), Glock will likely re-bid, I wouldn’t be surprised to see B&T or Beretta bid as well.
  The big one is Sig. Sig was the runner up for Project Hunter. Interestingly, Sig was teamed with importation house Edgar Brothers (the same importer for Knight’s).
  Sig announced an “agreement for distribution” with Accuracy International right before Shot Show…which makes me think it’s a licensing deal for production in the UK…which would likely be a big deal in terms of the competition.
  
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- Kinetics on Feb 02, 2024
  
  @Heat is overrated If all goes well, the rest of the MoD will get its replacement as well, via the follow on program Grayburn.
  
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- Jeff Hewitt on Feb 03, 2024
  
  @Kinetics Are the Brits not worried about ITAR like the Germans?
  
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- Kinetics on Feb 03, 2024
  
  @Jeff Hewitt In a word…no.
  ITAR really only means something if you’re…
  A) A country that knows it shouldn’t be receiving US weapons
  Or
  B) A contractor trying to export weapons to a country that shouldn’t be receiving US weapons.
  In fact, in the past 2 decades, most “ITAR restrictions” have come from European countries exercising protectionist measures against American contractors, either to promote European spending, or to defend domestic manufacturers that need handouts.
  Ex. Germany and the G36 replacement
  No one actually thought there was a chance of Sig winning and the US denying the export of MCX’s to Germany. There was, on the other hand, a very real concern over Sig winning and HK losing.
  For the UK, who have successfully been using US weapons (LMT) and weapons covered by US export controls (Colt/Diemaco L119), I’d argue that ITAR is a non issue.
  
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Predrag djuric on Feb 03, 2024

An interesting rifle.But... but... there is no the bayonet lug?

Like Reply
- Jonathan Ferguson on Feb 05, 2024
  
  @predrag djuric A bayonet mount was developed that MoD are free to pursue if they wish.
  
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POTD: British Soldier with Alternative Individual Weapons (AIW)

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