https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-aircraft-carriers-dont-run-windows-xp/ that is a popular myth. As for the SA80 the problems with the A1 were sorted out with the A2, they are currently being upgraded to the A3 standard. It is by all accounts, an excellent servic3 rifle in its updated incarnation.
I am referring to the lies, lies, lies and more lies the MOD spouted after the SA80/L85 problems were exposed in Desert Storm. After that long, drawn out years long farrago, I am disinclined to believe ANYTHING the MOD releases - including the claims of the Type 26’s (potential but unproven) supremacy.
Also, note that you yourself admit that they had to try multiple times to get the rifle to be acceptable - the US does not *have* the time to wait to get the bugs out if the Type 26 ends up being the New SA80/L85. If it ever proves out in British service, we can talk about it then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDCRop6CRwY
As for Windows XP - see above, the MOD is claiming it doesn’t, there’s clear photographic evidence that there are computers on board that do run XP, I have severe problems with MOD’s assertions. XP should not be anywhere near a brand new military vessel at this point, even for development purposes. As someone who works IT for a living, the fact that even ‘standalone’ XP machines are on that carrier tells me that there’s something horribly, horribly wrong with that ship’s IT.