Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage

Defence Equipment & Support the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence, the Lethality and Protect, Gunnery Systems and Munitions, Dismounted Close Combat Team wishes to update industry on Pj GRAYBURN.

No investment decisions have been taken yet. However, following direction from the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee, Pj GRAYBURN will focus on consideration of the following high-level characteristics:

1. UK manufacture – It is the Authority’s intention that Pj GRAYBURN will be manufactured in the UK to enhance sovereign supply chains, generate employment, and provide a platform for exports.

2. Strategic supplier – The Authority is to consider establishing a strategic relationship to deliver, manage, spirally develop and support the weapons portfolio for Pj GRAYBURN systems, and in time, perhaps parts of/all the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio.

3. Variants – Pj GRAYBURN will deliver 5 distinct variants, most likely based upon a common lower receiver.

a. Dismounted Close Combat (replacing SA80A3).

b. Dismounted Close Combat (short) (replacing SA80A3).

c. Personal Defence Weapon (replacing L22 Carbine).

d. Generalist (replacing SA80A2).

e. Cadet rifle (replacing L98 Cadet GP rifle).

(There remains potential to combine the DCC (Short) requirement into either the DCC or Personal Defence Weapon variant).

4. Adversary target armour – Pj GRAYBURN will look to provide sufficient lethality to defeat current and emerging body armour.

5. Surveillance and Target Acquisition – Pj GRAYBURN weapons will be fitted with day-optics and have the ability to quickly integrate with in-line night vision optics.

6. Pj GRAYBURN will seek to employ signature reduction technology on some variants.

7. Reliability - Pj GRAYBURN will deliver a highly reliable rifle, operable in all environments and climatic conditions.

The Authority will seek to engage industry in approach to Pj Grayburn in due course, and a further information notice will be released at that time.