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Originating in Austria during the late 1970s, the AUG was envisioned as a lightweight, futuristic combat rifle designed for efficiency and ease of use. Weighing just around 7 pounds and measuring approximately 27 inches in length, it was revolutionary compared to the heftier L1A1 it was set to replace. The rifle's distinctive bullpup configuration—where the receiver is placed behind the trigger—allowed for a longer barrel and thus greater accuracy without increasing the overall length of the weapon.
The AUG found a place in the Austrian Army as the first bullpup-designed military rifle in 1977, which set a trend that many countries followed. Nations like China, Israel, France, and the UK adopted similar designs, but many later reverted to traditional firearm configurations.