Allied Laser Tank:
Gameplay Info
Cost: 1500
Tech Level: High
Strength: 225
Armor: Light
Weapon: Semi-Conductor Laser, Model L10
Range: Long
Speed: Average-Slow, tracked

Background Info
The Laser Tank, also called the "Blazer" unofficially, is among the most advanced weapons in the Allied arsenal. In the RA timeline, the early discovery of the transistor allowed for technology to advance at a much faster pace than it did in our time. Shortly before and during the Second Great War (GWII), the Allies and Soviets experimented with laser tech for the purpose of making weapons.

The Soviets eventually went to the Tesla weapon, but the Allies continued in their research. Thanks to some "borrowed" American technology secrets, by 1960, the Allies were experimenting with lasers that could cause powerful enough pulses to melt holes in 150mm thick steel plate. Later versions were up to 200% more powerful.

A special-purpose vehicle design to mount the L10 Semi-Conductor has yet to be created. The current Laser Tank is an adaption of the technology to a mobile platform: a standard GWII Light Tank. Cannon and ammunition were removed, the engine and transmission reconfigured to provide additional power to the laser at the expense of mobility. A highly volatile power source is fixed to the turret externally in a dummy bustle rack, which acts as the main source of energy for the laser.

Due to the impending threat of war with the Soviets, Allied officials authorized the conversion process for 70% of remaining GWII Light Tanks in 1967.

Field Report
>Complex Technology: The high costs of the system are entirely associated with the laser system. There are thousands of GWII Light Tanks sitting in storage and the process to modify them is simple. The creation of the power source and semi-conductor laser system however, are not.

>Delicate: Laser Tanks are at the surface Light Tanks. They have thin armor and due to changes to the transmission to help power the laser, are much slower than one might expect. Because of this, escorts are of prime importance for Laser Tanks: they cannot be expected to survive encounters with infantry or enemies that close the distance.

>Manually Aimed: The L10 Semi Conductor Laser is a manually aimed weapon with range limited only by atmospheric diffusion- which makes it comparable to an artillery piece on flat ground. Manual aiming doesn't pose a problem for armor or structures, but makes the weapon
ineffective against infantry and incapable of attacking aircraft.