LIGHT MACHINE GUN
When you need an effective light machine gun, all you need to do is put a 24″ barrel/H-Bar (Heavy Barrel) on the AUG and insert the 42 round box magazine. The barrel can be further outfitted with a bipod for stability if you so choose. This variant of the AUG can also be further modified by adding in a different bolt and trigger system to where the weapon will fire from an open bolt. I am not to sure how useful that would be, but it is an option that was added into the design.
Now I know some of you might feel that this is pointless when you could just have a belt-fed machine gun like the M249 SAW. I think it is worthwhile to consider the current changes that the Marines are making, and why. You see, the SAW is a nice weapon when you need a weapon that can offer sustained fire for suppression over a long period of time, but fails to allow you to move quickly and lay down accurate bursts on the move. The Marines have recently been working to replace the SAW with the HK416 IAR in order to answer this issue. Basically, the IAR(Infantry Automatic Rifle) allows the gunner to deliver full auto fire more accurately, while also not being fatigued by the weight of the weapon when moving fast is the goal. Though it is not belt fed, the main goal is accurate suppression and hitting what you are firing at. In my experience, throwing a hundred rounds in the general direction of the enemy is useless when the point is to hit them. So far, the feedback from the units using the IAR is positive, and they like how accurately they are able to shoot.
DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLE
Similar to the conversion process for the LMG, all you need to do to make a DMR is replace the barrel with a 24″ H-Bar. But in order to turn it into a full fledged DMR, you can switch out the receiver to one with an integrated 6x magnified optic and put in a semi automatic only trigger pack. Though this would allow you to have a real through and through DMR, I feel that the only worthwhile change, aside from the heavy barrel, would be the receiver with the higher magnification optic.
CONSIDERATIONS
When we consider the fact that this old dog is still around in over a dozen countries, we should definitely give it adequate respect for what it has been able to do. It has filled many roles for many nations, and has continued to be an example for many rifle designers to follow and envy. In recent years, people have placed heavy emphasis on how important it is to have a modular platform, both for economic reasons, and for overall convenience. For this reason, I cannot think of a better weapon to fill that need than the tried and true Steyr AUG.
This article courtesy of David Donchess from The Arms Guide.
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