RISC Hyper Laser

RISC Hyper Laser
Production information
Type Energy (Direct-Fire)
Tech Base Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Year Availability 3134 (Prototype)
Technical specifications
Heat 24
Damage 20
Minimum Range n/a
Short Range 1-8
Medium Range 9-15
Long Range 16-25
Tons 8
Critical Slots 6
Ammo Per Ton n/a
Cost (unloaded) 750,000
Ammo Cost (per ton) n/a
BV (1.0) n/a
BV (2.0) 596


The RISC Hyper Laser is an experimental heavy energy weapon derived from the Clans' Improved Heavy Laser family.

Description[edit]

Hyper Lasers are the ultimate development in heavy laser technology. Republic Institute of Strategic Combat engineers based the Hyper Laser on Clan heavy laser technology, and created a weapon surpassing even those weapons in sheer range and destructive power.

RISC Hyper Lasers push the limits of modern laser shielding and chemistry to achieve their sheer power. Work on these weapons started in 3133, with the first prototypes being fielded a year later. These prototypes quickly displayed a tendency towards explosive malfunctions, owing to the sheer thermal stress generated by the weapon.

This flaw reared its head up during one of the many "false flag" operations conducted by the Republic Armed Forces, when a Mad Cat Mk IV equipped with these new Hyper Lasers suffered several malfunctions and subsequent explosions of its weapons during combat. This would eventually lead to the 'Mech's defeat and destruction. This incident, and others like it, may have contributed to the project's eventual cancellation.[1]

One of the first battles featuring this weapon pitted a Mad Cat Mk IV against four 'Mechs, destroying two of them, a Catapult and a Jackalope, though the 'Mech exploded once it was defeated.[2]

References[edit]

  1. Interstellar Operations: Alternate Eras, p. 87
  2. 3135 PDA Journals, p. 138-139 "22 December 3135"

Bibliography[edit]