Laser tank

"Laser Crusader ready for engagement!"

- Laser Tank

The Laser Tank was a futuristic replacement for standard US armour pioneered by General Townes and his main battle tank (MBT). Based on a Crusader chassis (and thus often dubbed the 'Laser Crusader'), Laser Tanks had turrets equipped with deadly laser weapons, most effective against other vehicles and structures. The tank fulfilled the same role as the Crusader in Townes' forces, costing the same for him to acquire.

Much of the technology behind the Laser Tank remains classified. It is still unclear why, if Townes failed to maintain sufficient base power levels, the tanks became entirely inactive; or why the lasers are not accurate against infantry.

Upgrades
"Composite Armor have been installed sir."

- Laser Crusader


 * Scout Drone/Battle Drone/Hellfire Drone - One of these drones could be selected as an upgrade per unit, as with all USA tanks. The Scout Drone, the most inexpensive, simply provided information to the tank crew that increased their sight range and revealed otherwise difficult-to-spot stealthy units in the vicinity. The Battle Drone was armed with a small machine gun, giving some protection against infantry, and could also repair its parent vehicle. The Hellfire Drone, initially made available later in the conflict, fired a small, but surprisingly effective missile against enemy units. Drones could be upgraded with Drone Armour.
 * Composite Armour - Available from the Strategy Center, this upgrade improved the armor of each tank.
 * Advanced Training

Tactics/Counters
"Raising intensity!"

- Laser Tank engaging enemy forces

The laser generated by the Laser Tank was more dangerous to enemy armor than even a standard 125mm tank shell. Only the Chinese Overlord could match the Laser Tank, and Townes' machine was far cheaper and faster. In large numbers, however, they were more than capable of decimating entire armored columns in seconds. However, it still had the same weaknesses as the standard Crusader, namely a vulnerability to aircraft and anti-tank infantry. Therefore Laser Tanks were almost always deployed with some form of support, typically an Avenger, another unit reliant on lasers (Townes' specialty).

In addition and as noted above, due to the need to maintain a steady level of power at the nearest base for Laser Tanks to be used, destroying enough of a Townes' power plants would not just shut down his base defenses, but also the Laser Tanks. Note that in patch 1.08, the Laser Tank's dependence on base power was removed, making it much deadlier.

This vehicle is also the reason the Paladin tank is not used by Townes.

Trivia

 * The tank shares some of its lines with the Crusader Tank, even the line "Crusader Tank responding".