Large Laser

Weapn-largelaser.png
Large Laser
Production information
Type Energy Weapon
Tech Base Inner Sphere (IS)
Year Introduced IS = 2306 TH[1]
Year Extinction Clan = 2850
Technology Rating C
Availability Ratings C[2]/D[2]/C[2]
Technical specifications
Heat 8[3]
Damage 8[3]
Minimum Range 0[3]
Short Range 1-5[3]
Medium Range 6-10[3]
Long Range 11-15[3]
Tons 5[3]
Critical Slots 2[3]
Ammo Per Ton n/a
Cost (unloaded) 100,000[2]
Ammo Cost (per ton) n/a
BV (1.0) 124
BV (2.0) 123[4]



Description[edit]

"Laser" stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", or a device that emits an amplified, contiguous beam of light onto a small surface area. 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. The Large Laser differs from its smaller cousins by being a gamma-ray laser firing a much more powerful beam, allowing it to reach to further ranges and cause more damage.[5] However, the increased bulk and heat generation limits the weapon to ground vehicles, aircraft, and BattleMechs. The type was first introduced by the Terran Hegemony in 2306.[1]

Models[edit]

The Large Laser is manufactured on the following planets:

Amdecker 300[edit]

The Amdecker 300 was one of the less well-known brands of Large Laser produced during the Star League era. Though noted as a highly accurate weapon, numerous Rotunda drivers claim it also generates waste heat unpredictably, complicating monitoring and adequately venting it. If not properly managed, the heat can damage the Amdecker 300 and its mountings forcing early maintenance, a situation made worse by the fact some technicians have difficulty repairing the weapon.[6][7][8]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Dieron Buhallin Military Products Rotunda [6][7][8]

BlazeFire Systems[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
New Syrtis Johnston Industries Goblin Medium Tank, RFL-3N Rifleman, KW1-LH2 Lineholder, STY-3C Starslayer [9] [10] [11]

ChisComp 43 Special[edit]

Large laser built by ChisComp.

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
New Avalon Achernar BattleMechs Enforcer [12]

Cyclops Eye[edit]

Developed towards the end of the Third Succession War primarily for the Drillson, the Cyclops Eye was an unconventional design. While most Succession Wars era heavy lasers feature vulnerable long barrels and focusing mirrors, this system needed only a small, slit-like emitter. This was a result of the system's use of a unique combination of laser and particle beam technology.[13][14][15]

Instead of firing beam of light or a stream of particles, the Cyclops Eye used a combination of both to produce a beam of significant penetrating power.[13][14] The effect of this weapon is comparable to the large laser systems produced by Diverse Optics or Martell. The Cyclops Eye is less vulnerable to damage than a conventional system, and is also easier to maintain and manufacture.[13][14][15]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Skye Cyclops Incorporated Drillson Heavy Hover Tank [13][14][15]

Defiance B3L[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Sian Hellespont Mech Works Pillager [16]

Krupp Model 32[edit]

Known as "Fur Burners" by MechWarriors who use and favor them, the Krupp Model 32 Large Laser is renowned for its performance, especially when linked with the capabilities of the KGC Battle Computer carried by the Lancelot.[17]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Mars Krupp Stellar Technologies Inc. LNC 25-01 Lancelot [17][18]

Lushann Redbeam[edit]

Due to the design engineers focusing on the Redbeam's ability to withstand damage and maintain effectiveness, the Lushann Redbeam is larger in size and more unwieldy than others in the same class. This, in the opinion of the authors of StarCorps Industries' Notable Players report, makes it more appropriate to heavy tanks than more mobile BattleMechs.[19]

Like all Lushann-manufactured lasers, each Lushann Redbeam is inspected mechanically three times, checked over twice by hand, and tested on both an indoor and outdoor firing range before being released for shipping, a testament to the company's reputation for good quality weaponry.[20]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Lushann Lushann Industrials Limited Seydlitz [21]

Magna Mk III[edit]

The Magna Mk III is known (when mounted on a Katana) to emit emerald colored beams.[22]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Son Hoa StarCorps Industries Emperor [23]

Nightwind[edit]

An old but extremely reliable weapon, all of the Nightwind's components are battle-tested and quite sturdy, but are so bulky that it is one of the largest military lasers ever built. As a testament to the Nightwind's robustness, on the Wyvern a pair of Starflash Small Lasers are able to draw power directly from the Nightwind's primary feed without any loss in efficiency for any of the weapons.[24][25][26]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Loxley Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated Spector [27]
Errai Maltex Corporation Champion, Wyvern [26][24][25][28]

RAMTech 1200[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Skye Shipil Company Seydlitz [29]
Sterope Taurus Territorial Industries Seydlitz [30]

Sunglow Type 2[edit]

Used for hundreds of years through the Inner Sphere and Periphery, the Sunglow Type 2 is noted as being easy to maintain and replace.[31]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Sterope Sterope Defense Industries TRDR-5S Thunderbolt, Thunderbird, Fulcrum Heavy Hover Tank, MHL-X1 Marshall [32] [31] [33]

Thunderbolt A5M[edit]

Developed by Defiance Industries for the Zeus, the Defiance Thunderbolt A5M Large Laser is an extremely compact weapon. Limited by the available space on chassis of the Zeus, Defiance used their increasingly rare knowledge of fiber optics to dispense with the typical bulky barrel common to most other Large Lasers to design a smaller though no less effective weapon.[34]

Though Defiance was one of the few manufacturers who had the knowledge to work with fiber optics during the Succession Wars era,[34] by the Third Succession War even they were concerned the Thunderbolt A5M would join the ranks of LosTech as the conflict dragged on as the weapon's production rate began to slow due to its complexity.[35]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Hesperus II Defiance Industries Flashman, Zeus [34][36][37][38][39]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Interstellar Operations, p. 118: "Prototype Dates for Basic Weapons Table"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 TechManual, p. 291: "Heavy Weapons and Equipment Table"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 TechManual, p. 341: "Inner Sphere Heavy Weapons and Equipment Table"
  4. TechManual, p. 317: "Inner Sphere Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
  5. Era Report: 2750, p. 99: "Laser Systems"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Technical Readout: 2750, p. 90: "Rotunda Vehicle Profile"
  7. 7.0 7.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, p. 194: "Rotunda Vehicle Profile"
  8. 8.0 8.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 154: "Rotunda Vehicle Profile"
  9. Objective Raids, p. 90: "New Syrtis - Johnston Industries"
  10. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 138: "KW1-LH2 Lineholder"
  11. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 210: "STY-3C Starslayer"
  12. Technical Readout: 3025, p. 58
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Technical Readout: 3026, p. 50
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 54
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 62
  16. BattleTech Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 188
  17. 17.0 17.1 Technical Readout: 2750, p. 36
  18. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 110
  19. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 163: "Lushann Industrials Limited"
  20. Objective Raids, p. 164: "Lushann Industrials"
  21. Objective Raids, p. 153: "Lushann Industrials Limited"
  22. A New Game, p. 7 (BattleCorps PDF version)
  23. BattleTech Technical Readout Succession Wars, p. 170
  24. 24.0 24.1 Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 28–29: "WVE-5N Wyvern"
  25. 25.0 25.1 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, pp. 52–53: "Wyvern"
  26. 26.0 26.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 196–197: "WVE-5N Wyvern"
  27. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 206–207: "Spector Profile"
  28. Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 256–257: "Wyvern"
  29. Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 148
  30. Technical Readout: 3039, p. 190
  31. 31.0 31.1 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 90: "Fulcurm Heavy Hover Tank"
  32. Objective Raids, p. 161: "Sterope"
  33. Technical Readout: 3060, pp. 100–101: "Marshal 'Mech Profile"
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
  35. Experimental Technical Readout: Succession Wars, Volume 1, p. 8
  36. Introductory Record Sheets, p. 22
  37. Technical Readout: 3039, p. 160
  38. Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 92
  39. Technical Readout: 3039, p. 272

Bibliography[edit]