Origin: Austria
Year: 1977
Type: Assault rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weight: 3.6 kg (7.9 lb)
Length: 790 mm (31.1 in)
Barrel length: 508 mm (20.0 in)
Capacity: 30 rds (42 rd mags available)

Developed in the 1970s by Austrian arms manufacturer Steyr, the AUG (Armee Universal Gewehr, or Universal Army Rifle) is a select-fire capable bullpup assault rifle chambered for the NATO standard 5.56x45mm cartridge. A bullpup is an unique form of firearm wherein the receiver/action is located in the rear of the weapon, behind the trigger. This pattern confers certain advantages, such as allowing for a more compact weapon with sacrificing barrel length and thus velocity (for example, the AUG features a barrel the same length as the American M16 but with an overall length that is approximately 8 inches shorter). However, bullpups also come with certain disadvantages, such as limited ability to be used ambidextrously and a typically heavier trigger pull. Though there are other military bullpups with varying degrees of success, such as the British SA80, French FAMAS, and Israeli Tavor, the Steyr AUG was the first to be adopted as a standard issue rifle by a major military power when it was adopted as the StG-77 by Austria in 1978. In the years since, the AUG has been adopted by a number of militaries and law enforcement agencies across the world. Notable current and former users of the rifle include but are not limited to Austria, Australia (where it is manufactured by Thales as the F88 Austeyr), Ireland (as illustrated, complete with ACOG optic), New Zealand (recently replaced with the Lewis Machine & Tool MARS-L), Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, the United States (formerly used by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and Luxembourg.