Name:  ER Micro Laser
Type (Category):  Weapon (Energy)
Reference:  TechManual (p. 226)

Description:
Newhart Industries of New Earth fielded the first production run of extended-range large lasers for the SLDF in 2620, debuting a weapon system that boasted a longer reach than any other contemporary energy weapon. Within five years, the ER large laser became Newhart’s showpiece on their latest BattleMech offering, the HSR-200-D Hussar. The success of this ’Mech—largely attributed to the combination of its speed and its single, powerful weapon system—cemented Newhart’s place as one of the Terran Hegemony’s chief weapons producers.

Never expanded to other standard lasers of the day—perhaps because Hegemony designers saw little need for another tier of overlapping laser ranges—extended-range upgrades for the medium and small laser size classes did not emerge until the Clans developed them during their Golden Century. Even after the ER large laser’s recovery by Combine engineers in 3037, Spheroid versions of the Clan medium and small models would not emerge until Diverse Optics unveiled their first batches for the Free Worlds League Military in 3058 (inspired, of course, by reports of the Clans and samples of captured equipment filtered to League scientists). Other major laser designers, including Martell, RAMTech and Magna, soon followed suit.

ER lasers offer enhanced range in all size classes, but at a considerably higher heat cost. Spheroid models run the small to large sizes now, while the Clans recently added the micro class for use in their ProtoMechs.

Game Rules:
Lasers may not be fired if the unit is shut down or if its pilot/crew is otherwise prevented from acting.

BattleMechsIndustrialMechsProtoMechsCombat Vehicles

Prototype Date:	~3059
Production Date:	3060
Extinction Date:	—
Recovery Date:	—

BattleMech Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  ER Micro Laser
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  CLERMicroLaser
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  ER Micro Laser

Prototype Date:	~3059
Production Date:	3060
Extinction Date:	—
Recovery Date:	—

IndustrialMech Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  ER Micro Laser
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  CLERMicroLaser
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  ER Micro Laser

Prototype Date:	~3059
Production Date:	3060
Extinction Date:	—
Recovery Date:	—

ProtoMech Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  ER Micro Laser
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  CLERMicroLaser
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  ER Micro Laser

Prototype Date:	~3059
Production Date:	3060
Extinction Date:	—
Recovery Date:	—

Combat Vehicle Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  ER Micro Laser
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  CLERMicroLaser
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  ER Micro Laser