Laser weapons fire concentrated beams of energy at their targets and cause damage by their intense light and heat. All laser weapons require a power source, either directly built into the weapon of from a power pack. Laser weapons from TL 9-12 use visible light so they can be seen by observers, while TL 13+ lasers use invisible X-ray beams (thus referred to as X-Lasers). At TL 17, lasers are powered from internal anti-matter power pods.
Autolaser-15
Weight 1697g; pack 4347g. Length 410mm. The autolaser is first produced as a man-portable weapon around TL 13; the main drawback is the weight of the capacitors required to store enough energy for several bolts. However, the weight of these drops with progress, and the version listed here is about the best available at Imperial tech levels. However, the weapon is heavy and requires a reasonably strong man (or one in powered armour) to carry it around. Having more resemblance to a submachinegun or an assault rifle than a rifle, the weapon is sometimes called a laser burper, after the legendary M-3 Grease Gun or burp gun developed by the Solomani. A short laser tube produces a 5,000 joule beam at a 5.5mm aperture; the 2kg power pack gives a recharge time of .1 seconds per shot, .5 per burst, allowing a high rate of fire. Each pull of the trigger fires a burst of 5 shots; up to four of these may be fired in one combat round. It only takes 4 seconds to fire these bursts, but the other 2 seconds of a 6-second CR are occupied with recharging.
Laser
carbine-13
Weight 4000g; pack 1500g. Length 800mm. The TL 13 laser carbine is basically similar to the TL 8 version, except as noted above, and the fact that it uses X-ray lasers, making the bolt invisible.
Laser
carbine-8
Weight 5000g; pack 3000g. Length 800mm. A lightweight version of the laser rifle, firing high energy bolts using current from a backpack battery/power pack. The laser carbine fires a 2mm bolt of energy, aimed by integrated optic sights. The power pack is capable of producing 50 shots before it requires recharging. Recharging requires at least 8 hours connected to a high energy source. The laser carbine is connected to the power pack with a heavy duty cable. Carbine packs are not interchangeable with any other laser weapon.
Laser
pistol-13
Weight 220g; pack 1000g. Length 400mm. Essentially similar to the TL 9 pistol, the TL 13 pistol uses X-Lasers and produces invisible bolts.
Laser
pistol-9
Weight 700g; pack 2000g. Length 300mm. Smaller and easier to handle than the laser rifle or carbine. The packs for a laser pistol are not interchangeable with any other laser weapon.
Laser
rifle-13
Weight 8800g; pack 2000g. Length 1100mm. Essentially similar to the TL 9 rifle, the TL 13 version uses X-Lasers and produces invisible bolts. A variant of the laser rifle-13 mounts a 40mm RAM launcher (q.v.) under the barrel; this costs Cr9000 and weighs 9000g exclusive of pack.
Laser
rifle-9
Weight 6000g; pack 4000g. Length 1000mm. The standard high energy weapon, firing bolts in the same manner as the laser carbine. Heavier, the laser rifle is also capable of longer sustained action, and is somewhat sturdier. The power pack can produce 100 shots before recharging. Power packs are not interchangeable with any other laser weapon.
Lazooka
Weight 330kg; pack 250kg. Length 2000mm. An infrequently encountered offshoot of personal laser weaponry, the lazooka is a much heavier version of the laser rifle designed primarily to give troops in the field a portable armour buster. The weapon consists of a 2 metre x 150mm barrel mechanism containing oversized laser focusing crystals, a power pack and a flexible power link. The weapon requires a two-man team; one to carry the barrel and one for the power pack. The weapon works in exactly the same way as a laser rifle; however, power packs are not interchangeable with any other laser weapon. A quick-release connection between the power link and the barrel allows the crew to separate quickly in an emergency. The lazooka is generally unpopular with the troops it is issued to due to its bulk, and is often unofficially attached to light vehicles instead.