Laser Rifle (Fallout 3)

This model of Laser Rifle is used by the Brotherhood of Steel in Fallout 3 instead of the Wattz 2000 Laser Rifle used in previous Fallout games.

On the barrel, there is a warning: "Caution: laser radiation". It's also rated as a "Class 6" laser, which may be a subtle nod to the FDA's rating system, which currently rates the strongest industrial lasers as "Class 4".

Weapon Research Database File
Unlike many of the weapons in use today, the AER9 is actually not the top laser rifle that was in service at the time of the Great War. The model line went up to the state-of-the-art AER12, which saw service in a handful of specialty units. The reason that the AER9 is much more commonly found is that it was much sturdier and more reliable than the models that followed.

The AER9 features a titanium housed crystal array which proved to withstand long years of exposure to the elements much better than the gold alloy housing of the later models. As a result, the crystal arrays stated focused within operating parameters, rather than falling completely out of focus like the newer models.

As with all energy weapons, the AER9 can suffer from poor performance if not properly maintained. The crystal arrays and non-mechanical components are delicate and if not properly serviced can lead to a loss of beam intensity, overheating, and energy regulation failure.