What happened to the L17A2 for the L85?

[obpmgmua]

I just noticed that the grenade launcher for the L85 was changed from the L17A2 to the L123A2. They look oddly similar.

1. Are they the same UBGL?

2. What happened to the L17A1 and L123A1?

[Rhino]

They are the same basic AG36 Under-barrel Grenade Launcher (UGL) from what I can tell, just different designations/versions.

[obpmgmua]

Do you know why they designated it differently?

[Eddie Baker]

Do you know why they designated it differently?

I believe it has to do with the mount / GL combination. The L17A1 series is the GL+mount for the L119A1 SFW (C8 SFW), while L123A1 series is the GL+rifle specific mount for the L85A2.

As for why they didn't use the same designation with a different "A#" at the end?

It's because the MoD land-forces designation system can just be weird. For example:

L105A1: SIG P226
L106A1: SIG P226 with improved anti-corrosion coating; why isn't this the A2?
L105A2: SIG P226 with rail

L96A1: Accuracy International PM
L118A1: Accuracy International AW (an upgrade of the PM) with more powerful optics; why not just call it L96A2?

L2A1: M2 HB
L111A1: M2 HB/Quick-Change Barrel; why not L2A2?

Not that there aren't strange designation systems in the US, but those I understand even less.

[strima]

In a nutshell A1 is the original spec, A2 would be an upgraded system such as the L85 when it went to H&K for its revamp.

The SIG anti-corrosion coating would be more for harsher environments for metal such as naval or jungle areas where the weapon would require greater protection from the elements. The new designation would ensure the correct weapon is issued for the environment.

This boils down to equipment allocation, each unit has a scaling for peacetime and war time. It allows for easier accounting and control and stops units ordering kit on a whim just to see what it is.

[Eddie Baker]

In a nutshell A1 is the original spec, A2 would be an upgraded system such as the L85 when it went to H&K for its revamp.

The SIG anti-corrosion coating would be more for harsher environments for metal such as naval or jungle areas where the weapon would require greater protection from the elements. The new designation would ensure the correct weapon is issued for the environment.

This boils down to equipment allocation, each unit has a scaling for peacetime and war time. It allows for easier accounting and control and stops units ordering kit on a whim just to see what it is.

That makes sense in the case of the SIG, but what about in the case of the HMG and L96A1/L118A1 that are also essentially upgraded specs of the same weapon and one might think would be issued on a one-for-one replacement basis?

[obpmgmua]

Say didn't the UK's Minimi used to be called the L108A1? Now it's the L110A1. I think in .5 or .6 the UK had the L108A1 which was the vanilla SAW rebranded.

From my research the L108 is a traditional M249 SAW with the 18" barrel and the L110A1 is the PARA SAW with the 13" Barrel. Am I right or is google lying to me again?