Weapon Type: Laser Rifle Manufacturer: General Optronics Operation: Pulse laser Weight (w/o magazine): 5.1 kg Length: 98 cm Power: Optronics T7R StarPower Belt pack Power Pack Weight: 2.2 kg Power Output: 1 megajoule Typical Shot Output: .045 mw/.01 second Power Pack Life: 100 pulses at standard output Effective Range Short: 60 meters Medium: 120 meters Long: 240 meters Recharge Rate: About 35 hours, depending on power source Alternate Power Source: Optronics Las-R power mag Output: .2 mj (20 shots) Weight: .4 kg Reload Time: 10 seconds Weapon Reliability: 97% Base Cost: Cb 1,200 Power Pack Base Cost: Cb 750 Notes General Optronics, manufacturer of the renowned M2412A1 Starflash laser pistol, designed and tested the Starlight pulse laser rifle in 2444. The weapon is a prime example of high-tech laser weaponry from the pre-Star League era popularly known asthe Age of War, when it was used extensively by Terran Hegemony forces. The basic design remained unchanged throughout succeeding centuries, and by the outbreak of the First Succession War (2785) it was being manufactured under license by various manufacturers on scores of worlds within all of the major houses. The weapon is heavy and clumsy by later, Star-League standards. The belt-slung power pack, while lighter than most backpack units, is considered a handicap by many infantrymen who prefer to keep such encumbrances slung from their shoulders rather than on their hips where they can be snagged during during movement through brush or flat on the ground. Indeed, many belt units have been modified in such a way that they can be slung from the shoulders instead, or carried inside a field-issue backpack. In all other respects, the Starlight is a good weapon, with fair range for a man-portable laser, and adequate hitting power and beam focus well beyond usual infantry combat ranges. More Laser Rifles Introduction Optronics M2444A2 Starlight Martell Hi-Star Laser Rifle Intek M2448 Laser Rifle Kogyo-Khorsakov Model 2821 Laser Rifle Thorvald & Koch TK 94 Laser Rifle Magna Mark XX Heavy Laser Rifle Back to BattleTechnology 4 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1988 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com