Laser rifle

Laser rifles are high-tech weapons that emit a concentrated beam of coherent light, with sufficient wattage to do considerable damage. They can be powered by battery packs, fusion cells or cabled power systems, but most models use a internal capacitor, charged with Microfusion Cells.

Background
Several different models exist, from low power home-made versions to extremely powerful military weapons. As with all energy weapons, laser rifles 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. Given that laser weapons were still in their infancy as regular military weapons, parts can be hard to come by in the wasteland. However, their lack of moving parts (aside from the MF cell holding latch and trigger mechanism) means they are resilient against extended use.

Apart from rifles, other laser weapons also exist: laser pistols and Gatling lasers.

Wattz 2000 laser rifle


Having a very long range thanks to its extended barrel and acute accuracy, this laser rifle can be effectively used in long distance combat. Its recharging system can be upgraded, reducing the drain on the microfusion cell by 50%. A story in Future Weapons Today covered the performance of a Wattz 2000 rifle in the hands of a marine sniper in Nanjing.
 * For the modded version of the Wattz 2000 laser rifle found in Fallout 2, see: Laser Rifle (Ext. Cap.).

AER9 laser rifle


 The AER9 was not considered cutting-edge technology before the war, being an older model than the state-of-the-art AER12 laser rifle, used in a handful of specialty units. The redeeming feature of the AER9 was its reliability - the focusing crystal array was housed in a titanium casing, rather than the gold alloys used in later models, which allowed it to withstand years of exposure to the environment without loss in array focus. 
 * For the unique AER9 laser rifles found in Fallout 3, see: Wazer Wifle.
 * For the unique AER9 laser rifles found in Fallout: New Vegas, see: Van Graff laser rifle.
 * For the cut content AER9 laser rifles found in Fallout: New Vegas, see: The Disintegrator.

AER9 Tri-beam laser rifle


The tri-beam laser rifle is essentially laser shotgun and fires three laser beams with each shot. Compared to the regular AER9, it's missing the tube on the bottom length of the barrel and has a new emitter aperture and attached wires.

AER9 Metal blaster


The metal blaster is a unique laser shotgun and fires nine laser beams while expending only one microfusion cell. According to Everett, the man who built the rifle fitted a prism into the barrel, splitting the light in every direction.

AER12 laser rifle
The AER12 laser rifle was considered cutting-edge state-of-the-art technology before the Great War and was used only in a handful of specialty units. However, it is not as reliable as the older models like the AER9 or the Wattz 2000, as the focusing crystal array is housed in gold alloys, more vulnerable to years of exposure to environment.

AER14 laser rifle prototype


The AER14 was just in prototype stages during the Great War and was never used by regular military units.

Home-made laser rifle


This is a poor excuse for an energy weapon. This garage-rate rifle has terrible accuracy and it doesn't even fire very fast. But any energy weapon is better than no energy weapon at all.

Lightning gun


Karabin laserowy Wattz 2000