Difference between revisions of "Category:Lasers"

Laser stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", or a device that focuses an amplified beam of light on a small surface area. Lasers are popular weapons because they're cheap compared to other energy weapons and do not rely on ammunition, which simplifies logistics. Laser rifles are one of the most effective weapons infantry units have when fighting vehicles or 'Mechs.

Standard Lasers

Standard lasers cause damage by firing an intense beam of light at a target, flooding concentrated energy in the form of heat, which can melt material and overwhelm heat-sensitive electronics. All laser types are typically grouped into three broad classes based on their damage potential:

• Small Laser
• Medium Laser
• Large Laser

Pulse Lasers

Pulse lasers differ from traditional laser weaponry, in that instead of firing one powerful beam, they maintain several laser beams fired off in quick succession. While offering an overall increased rate of fire, the heat output also increases accordingly. Pulse lasers increase damage because they allow vaporized armor to dissipate from the location of damage. This allows subsequent pulses to reach the target area without being diffused by the vapor.

Both the Inner Sphere and Clans use the three most common size of pulse laser. The Clans also use the Micro Pulse Laser on ProtoMechs.

X-Pulse Lasers

X-Pulse Lasers are an attempt by Inner Sphere technicians to increase the range of Pulse Lasers to compete with the longer ranges of similar Clan models. X-Pulse lasers are not an new weapon per se, but an upgrade that is separately added to the weapon for an additional cost. X-Pulse lasers also build up tremendous heat but this has been considered by technicians as a necessary drawback. This weapon is currently still in its prototype stages.^[1]

Variable Speed Pulse Lasers

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Developed by Word of Blake technicians, the Variable Speed Pulse Laser (VSP) family has only been seen on a few units. Similar to a Snub-Nose PPC the VSP inflicts more damage at close range in exchange for a dropoff in damage at longer ranges.^[2]

Extended Range Lasers

As the name suggests, the Extended-Range (or ER) laser variants increases the power of the beam to project it to much farther ranges. The power necessary to facilitate the production of such generates a greatly increased quantity of waste heat.

Both the Inner Sphere and Clans use the three most common size of Extended Range laser. Typically the Clan versions of these weapons inflict more damage to the target than their Inner Sphere counterparts. The Clans also use the ER Micro Laser on ProtoMechs.

Heavy Lasers

Clan Star Adder developed the family of Heavy Lasers in 3059 as a way of packing more punch into a relatively small package. All Heavy Lasers, however, build a tremendous amount of heat and interfere with a 'Mech's sensors. Only the Clans use Heavy Lasers.

Naval Lasers

The Naval Laser (NL) systems used aboard WarShips and planetary defense systems (SDS) are massive versions of the standard laser systems used on 'Mechs and other combat vehicles. In addition their huge size makes them impractical for targeting small craft or AeroSpace Fighters; Like their Naval PPC and Naval Autocannon counterparts they can only target sub-500 ton craft with extreme difficulty.^[3][4] In addition, Naval Lasers were often used in the Terran Hegemony SDS systems to defend important worlds.^[5]

Infantry Laser Weapons

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References