Binary Laser Cannon

Binary Laser Cannon
Production information
Type	Energy (Direct-Fire)
Tech Base	Inner Sphere
Year Availability	2812 (Prototype)
Technical specifications
Heat	16
Damage	12
Minimum Range	n/a
Short Range	1-5
Medium Range	6-10
Long Range	11-15
Tons	9
Critical Slots	4
Ammo Per Ton	n/a
Cost (unloaded)	200,000
Ammo Cost (per ton)	n/a
BV (1.0)	n/a
BV (2.0)	222

The Binary Laser Cannon was a laser weapon previously considered ineffectual, but began to be reconsidered following the reintroduction of double heat sinks.

Description

Binary laser weapons, nicknamed Blazers, have existed in Rifle and Pistol form for some time, but the 'Mech-scale Binary Laser Cannon was widely considered a dead-end technology. Taking two large laser cores and fusing them together, the Blazer was designed to fire both cores at the same time, increasing damage penetration. In practice, damage yield proved low compared to the lasers firing separately, and the high heat generated by the Blazer severely taxed available heat sink technology of the time.

While research on the Blazer started in the Lyran Commonwealth in 2801, actual prototype models first showed up in the Free Worlds League in 2812.

With the reintroduction of double heat sinks, the Blazer cannon is now a viable weapon.

Notes

Earlier runs of Tactical Operations contained an error that switched the heat and damage values of the Binary Laser Cannon and gave an incorrect Battle Value 2 rating. The correct stats are: Damage (12), Heat (16), BV2 = 222.

Bibliography

• Tactical Operations