Latest revision as of 11:24, 11 June 2012

UFOpaedia Entry

Proposal

TO: Base Commander, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

FROM: Cdr. Paul Navarre, R&D: Engineering Division, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

DATE: %02i %s %i

SUB: Proposal: Heavy Laser

This is one of several proposals I'm submitting for the research and development of new laser weaponry. Each of these will have to be developed separately due to the size differences, power levels and complexity of the systems involved.

Thanks to the experience we've gained from our Continuous Wave Laser research, my team and I have figured out one or two possible ways to further amplify the damage output of our infantry lasers. However, this will require significant research and refining of our prototype, as well as enlarging several of the components.

We estimate that this weapon could be invaluable in a fire support role or as a direct-fire blockade breaker, capable of dissolving enemy strongpoints with powerful, pinpoint accurate fire.

It's certainly worth looking into, Commander.

--Cdr. Navarre

Result

TO: Base Commander, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

FROM: Cdr. Paul Navarre, R&D: Engineering Division, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

DATE: %02i %s %i

SUB: Re: Heavy Laser

Commander, our heavy laser program has been a success. We've got it prototyped and ready to go into production at your say-so.

As promised, the heavy laser is a revolution in our arsenal. In the hands of a qualified soldier, it can provide long-range continuous wave fire that is more powerful than our other infantry laser designs. We in DivEngine have no doubt that it will serve a vital role throughout the war.

This is not to say the heavy laser doesn't have its downsides. For one, it's very bulky and very heavy. While the weapon itself is very heavy, soldiers in the field will likely find it difficult to reproduce the accuracy or speed of smaller laser weapons. Its ammo consumption is staggering. It can chew through a full deuterium-fluoride cartridge at an incredible rate. This requires a number of magazines to be kept on hand, and the heavy laser is not particularly quick to reload.

Great care will also have to be taken that no bystanders or PHALANX troops get into the path of the invisible beam. Even momentary exposure to an unobstructed beam will char bone and liquefy flesh. A hit to the eyes will result in permanent, irreparable blindness. We've talked to our training and field officers about this and have underlined safety in our field manual at every turn, but it won't hurt the troops to hear it again from you, Commander.

Robotic or armoured aliens may be able to survive a beam for some time, even from a heavy laser, before their armour fails. It's recommended to engage these with several soldiers at once and concentrate fire in order to bring them down as quickly as possible.

It's also recommended that you not replace all our conventional heavy weapons with heavy lasers, Commander. We need a good balance of weapons to play to the strengths of our troops and to the weaknesses of the aliens. A varied arsenal is a healthy arsenal, and can't be easily defended against.

We'll need to have at least one D-F Cartridge on hand at all times in order to be able to load and use a heavy laser.

--Cdr. Navarre

Damage Type

laser

Skill

heavy

Links

Stat Suggestions

(This information for reference only; do not translate or include in-game.)

Pro:

1) Very high accuracy.

2) Good range.

Con:

1) Cannot shoot through smoke/gas/fire.

2) Small magazines.

Research Tree Data