Press Release

11th Sep 2012

Successful Introduction of the Light Support Weapon

Air Cadets from 134 (Bedford) Squadron have taken shooting, within their unit, to a new level, with the successful introduction of the L86 A2 Light Support Weapon.

Operating on the 50 metre Barrack Range at the Defence Intelligence & Security Centre Chicksands, Bedfordshire, the cadets were able to shoot the LSW at 25 and 50 metres. Firing in the prone position, senior cadets from the Squadron zeroed the sights on the LSW’s before practicing grouping, deliberate, rapid and snap shooting.

With the use of the optical sight fitted to the gun, and using the marksmanship principles they have been taught, the cadets produced some excellent results.

The L86 A2 is a magazine fed automatic weapon. It has a longer barrel than the L98 A2 Cadet General Purpose Rifle and is fitted with a bipod, shoulder strap and rear pistol grip. The longer barrel gives the weapon an extended range and with the addition of the optical sight, ensures the weapon is accurate up to 800 metres.

Conversion onto the LSW commenced in August and involved the cadets being trained on how to operate the weapon by Warrant Officer Taylor, the unit’s resident Weapons Instructor. Having been trained, the cadets were then required to pass a detailed weapons handling test.

The Squadron is gearing up for the Cadet Inter Services Small Arms Meeting (CISSAM) to being held in October, during which there will be an LSW shooting competition. It is hoped that Bedford Squadron, one of 20 units representing the Air Cadet Organisation, will give a good account of itself, as they shoot against teams from the Sea Cadet Corps and Army Cadet Force.

Warrant Officer Taylor said, “We have worked extremely hard to bring the LSW into the Squadron and I am delighted with the results so far. I cannot thank enough our military colleagues at RAF Henlow and DISC Chicksands for making the weapons available to us. The cadets have thoroughly enjoyed shooting the LSW for the first time and we now plan to hone their marksmanship skills further, ahead of CISSAM next month.”