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{{Games|TW|KW}}
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{{Games|ZH}}
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{{UnitBox
[[File:TW_Goddard_A-SAT_control.png|thumb|right|The A-SAT control center in [[Goddard Space Center]], the heart of the A-SAT systems]]
 
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|name = Laser Tank
The '''A-SAT defense system''' was a network of orbital anti-satellite and anti-missile systems constructed by the [[Global Defense Initiative]] in the years leading to the [[Third Tiberium War]] in 2047.<ref name="CC3_Tech2047">Verdu, Michael. 2006-09-29. [http://games.ea.com/cncx360/news.jsp Technology in 2047]. Mirror: [[Technology in 2047]]. C&C3 X360 Page. 2010-02-21.</ref>
 
  +
|cameo = CNCGZH_Laser_Tank_Cameo.png
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|image = ZH_Laser_Tank.jpg
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|imgdesc =
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|faction = {{Flag|USA|G1}}{{Subfaction|Laser|G1}}
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|baseunit = [[Crusader tank]]
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|role = Main battle tank
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|useguns = High-energy directed pulse laser cannon
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|usearmor =
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|armortype = Tank
  +
|cost = $900
  +
|hp = 480 (580 with Composite Armor)
  +
|time =
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* 0:10 (with power)
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* 0:16 (without power), this unit cannot move away from the War Factory.
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|produced = [[American war factory]]
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|hotkey = T
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|landspeed =
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|range = 150
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|sight = 150-300
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|groundattack = 80 (Armor Piercing)
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|cooldown = 2000
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|addons =
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* [[File:CNCG_Predator_Drone_Cameo.png|24px]] [[Scout Drone]]
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* [[File:CNCG_Battle_Drone_Cameo.png|24px]] [[Battle Drone]]
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* [[File:CNCG_Hellfire_Drone_Cameo.png|24px]] [[Hellfire Drone]]
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|ability =
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|upgrades =
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* [[File:CNCG_Composite_Armour_Cameo.png|24px]] [[Composite Armor]]
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* [[File:Gen1 Advanced Training Icons.png|24px]] [[Advanced Training]]
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|notes =
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* Strong vs vehicles, building
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* Weak vs aircraft, anti-tank
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* Cannot function without power
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}}
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{{Quote|Laser Crusader ready for engagement!|Laser Tank rolling out from the War Factory}}
  +
The '''Laser Tank''' (also known as the '''Laser Crusader''') was a futuristic replacement for standard [[United States of America (Generals)|US]] armour pioneered by [[Townes]] and his main battle tank (MBT).
   
==History==
+
==Background==
  +
{{Quote|Keep the power flowing!|Laser Tank}}
[[File:TW Space Command Uplink.png|thumb|A [[space command uplink]], used by GDI forward bases to request orbital support|left]]
 
  +
Based on a [[Crusader Tank|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.
Following the [[Second Tiberium War]] and the [[Firestorm Conflict]], GDI adopted a new strategy, relying on a high-low mix of cutting-edge weapons and command & control systems in space coupled with rugged, cost-effective weapon systems on the ground. To that end, they invested heavily in space technology, creating the most sophisticated anti-satellite/anti-missile defense system in history.<ref name="CC3_Tech2047" />
 
   
  +
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 (this is probably because a portable reactor for such a lethal weapon could not be developed yet, and thus required a stationary reactor. This could mean that Townes could also have developed a way to provide energy without using direct connection); or why the lasers are not accurate against infantry.
[[File:Third ion cannon.jpg|thumb|An ion cannon battle station in 2047|right]]
 
This ASAT/ABM system consisted of a network of space-based [[Orbital strike|kinetic kill weapons]], lasers, and the [[ion cannon]] battle stations, acting as an impenetrable shield for GDI's orbital weapons platforms, command & control stations, and spy satellites.<ref name="CC3_NodArchASat">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. [[Intelligence Database]]: Nod Archives, "Ground Control for GDI's A-SAT Systems".</ref> Because of this system, GDI's space assets remained out of reach for the [[Brotherhood of Nod]] for years.<ref name="CC3_NodArchASat" />
 
   
  +
==Upgrades==
However, this changed in 2046, when Nod acquired the blueprints for the ion cannon network during a raid on GDI's [[Johannesburg]] research center.<ref name="CC3:KW_Nod5">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath]]''. Nod mission 5: "Keys to the Kingdom".</ref> After analyzing the blueprints, Nod discovered that the crews and control centers for the ion cannons and the A-SAT system were all located in a single ground-based facility: [[Goddard Space Center]] in the northeastern [[Blue Zone]].<ref name="CC3_NodArchASat">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. [[Intelligence Database]]: Nod Archives, "Ground Control for GDI's A-SAT Systems".</ref> Even Nod was baffled by the existence of this glaring weakness.<ref name="CC3_NodArchASat" /> This was later revealed to be due to cost concerns: due to the vast computing and communication requirements, placing the control systems in space would require the construction of a new orbital platform, which would cost tens of billions of credits.<ref name="CC3_Tech2047" /><ref name="CC3_GDINewsBlunder">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. [[Intelligence Database]]: GDI News Wire, "The Blunder that Nearly Finished GDI".</ref>
 
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{{Quote|Laser cannon targeting set!|Laser Tank}}
   
  +
===Drones===
[[File:Philadelphia_destruction.png|thumb|The [[Destruction of the GDSS Philadelphia|destruction of the ''Philadelphia'']]|left]]
 
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{|
In March, 2047, during GDI's [[Annual Energy Summit]], when all of its top leaders gathered in the space station [[GDSS Philadelphia|GDSS ''Philadelphia'']], Nod launched an attack on Goddard Space Center and destroyed the A-SAT control center, paralyzing GDI's ion cannon network and anti-missile defenses.<ref name="CC3_Nod1">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. Nod mission 1: "[[Goddard Space Center (mission)|Goddard Space Center]]".</ref> Immediately after, Nod launched a nuclear missile at the ''Philadelphia'' from an underground missile silo in [[Cairo]], destroying the space station and killing much of GDI's leadership.<ref name="CC3_GDIInOpsCairo">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. [[Intelligence Database]]: GDI InOps, "Cairo Nuclear Launch Facility".</ref>
 
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|[[File:CNCG Predator Drone Cameo.png|left|50px]]
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|[[Scout Drone]]
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|The Scout Drone simply fed battlefield information to the vehicle crew, increasing their sight range and revealing nearby stealthed units. Costs $100.
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|-
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|[[File:CNCG Battle Drone Cameo.png|left|50px]]
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|[[Battle Drone]]
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|The Battle Drone was armed with a small machine gun to defeat enemy infantry, and could also repair its parent vehicle. Costs $300.
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|-
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|[[File:CNCG Hellfire Drone Cameo.png|left|50px]]
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|[[Hellfire Drone]]
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|The Hellfire Drone, available in [[Zero Hour]], fired a small but surprisingly powerful missile against enemy ground units. Costs $500.
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|}
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Drones can be further upgraded with [[Drone Armor]], increasing their durability.
   
  +
===Structure-specific===
In the aftermath of the ''Philadelphia''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s destruction, GDI's ion cannon network remained offline, allowing Nod forces to launch a coordinated attack on every Blue Zone in the world without fearing orbital retaliation, exactly as Nod had predicted.<ref name="CC3_NodArchASat" /> However, despite being initially caught off guard, GDI forces were able to regroup and counterattack faster than Nod anticipated. Five weeks after the initial attack, GDI forces were able to drive Nod out of a number of Blue Zones and even began destroying Nod strongholds in [[Yellow Zone]]s.<ref name="CC3_Nod6">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. Nod mission 6: "[[Amazon Desert (mission)|Amazon Desert]]".</ref>
 
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{{Quote|Composite Armor installed sir.|Crusader}}
   
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{|
By the time GDI launched its second attack on [[Temple Prime]], Nod's headquarters, repairs on the ion cannon network and the A-SAT defense system were complete.<ref name="CC3_GDIInOpsIonDisrupt">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. [[Intelligence Database]]: GDI InOps, "Nod Ion Cannon Disruption Tech".</ref> After the ion cannon strike on Temple Prime triggered a massive [[Tiberium#Liquid|liquid Tiberium]] detonation, six unidentified flying objects began approcahing Earth from beyond Neptune. On Director [[Redmond Boyle]]'s order, all ion cannons in the western hemisphere were fired at the UFOs, causing them to split into 39 [[drone ship]]s, which then landed in every [[Red Zone]] on the planet.<ref name="CC3_GDI12">Electronic Arts Los Angeles, ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''. GDI mission 12: "[[Munich (GDI mission)|Munich]]".</ref>
 
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|[[File:CNCG_Composite_Armour_Cameo.png|left|50px]]
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|[[Composite Armour]]
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|This upgrade improves the armor of each Crusader.
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|Purchasable at any [[Strategy Center]] for $2000
  +
|-
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|[[File:Gen1 Advanced Training Icons.png|left|50px]]
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|[[Advanced Training]]
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|Allowed Crusader, along with all other USA units gain veteran status twice as fast.
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|Purchasable at any [[Strategy Center]] for $1500
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|}
   
==In-game==
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==Game Unit==
  +
===Tactics===
{{Main|A-SAT defense center}}
 
  +
{{Quote|Power up the lasers!|Laser Tank on the attack}}
In the [[Global Conquest]] mode of ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath]]'', GDI has access to the [[A-SAT defense center]] strategic building, which grants the [[Sky Sentry]] support power.
 
  +
The laser generated by the Laser Tank was more dangerous to enemy armor than even a standard 120mm tank shell. Only the [[People's Republic of China|Chinese]] [[Overlord Tank|Overlord]] could match the Laser Tank's damage, and Townes' machines were far cheaper and faster. This often afforded them much more flexibility in engagements than the cumbersome Overlord while still packing the same 'punch'. In large numbers, they were more than capable of decimating entire armored columns in seconds.
   
  +
As with most US tanks, Laser Tanks, when in large groups, can even defeat Overlord Tanks.
==Behind the Scenes==
 
* "ASAT" stands for "anti-satellite", meaning weapon systems designed to '''attack satellites'''.<ref>National Academy of Sciences, ''Nuclear Arms Control: Background and Issues'' (Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, 1985), p. 159-160.</ref> However, throughout ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]'', GDI's A-SAT defense system was almost exclusively referred to and described as an anti-missile system. Though the [[Technology in 2047]] blogpost described the system as an "anti-satellite/anti-missile defense system".
 
   
==References==
+
===Counters===
  +
{{Quote|Keep the power flowing!|Laser Tank}}
{{ref|col=2}}
 
  +
Laser Crusaders had a unique weakness - the need to maintain a steady level of power at the nearest base for Laser Tanks to be used. This meant that destroying enough of Townes' power plants would not just shut down his base defenses, but also the Laser Tanks. Each Laser Tank drains one unit of energy - potentially turning troops supplied by captured [[Tech Reinforcement Pad|Reinforcement Pads]] from a utility to a liability.
[[Category:Tiberium universe science and technology]]
 
  +
[[Category:Space]]
 
  +
Laser Tanks are also fairly ineffective against infantry, needing support against rocket-toting infantry - a weakness inherited from its mainline counterpart. Avengers are effective for this purpose, while anti-infantry backup units or a combat drone upgrade to the tank itself are needed to deal with the rocket-armed infantry. Avengers are also a necessity to protect these tanks from air assault - the Laser Tank's cannon can eliminate ground-based threats while supporting Avengers tear apart encroaching aircraft with their own lasers.
  +
  +
This vehicle is also the reason the [[Paladin tank]] is not used by Townes.
  +
  +
==Selected Quotes==
  +
The Crusader borrows the voiceset of the standard Crusader, with additional specialized lines.{{Quote|Laser Crusader ready for engagement!|When emerging from the War Factory|margins=0|sides=0}}
  +
{{Quote|Keep the power flowing!|When selected|margins=0|sides=0}}
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{{Quote|Laser cannon targeting set!|When selected|margins=0|sides=0}}
  +
{{Quote|Power up the lasers!|When ordered to attack|margins=0|sides=0}}
  +
{{Quote|Releasing energy pulse!|When ordered to attack|margins=0|sides=0}}
  +
{{Quote|Raising intensity!|When ordered to attack|margins=0|sides=0}}
  +
  +
==Trivia==
  +
* The tank shares some of its lines with the Crusader Tank, even the line ''"Crusader Tank responding"''. It does have several new lines (see Selected Quotes above), however. In quotes, the laser tank also refers to itself as a "laser crusader".
  +
* Insights, such as the Soviet Union's attempt at such an [[wikipedia:1K17_Szhatie|advanced weapon]], indicate that a successful production of an actual laser weapon armored vehicle would also mean that it would be the most expensive tank in the world, topping the South Korean K2 Black Panther tank which sits at over $8 million a unit.
  +
* Although this unit is the original American Crusader Tank developed for Townes, the word "Crusader" is almost nowhere in the game except in the files.
  +
* The various laser weapons in ''Generals'' are typically very precise, yet the Laser Crusader suffers from the same lack of accuracy against infantry that the normal Crusader does. This was likely done for balancing reasons.
  +
* The Laser Crusader's and the GLA [[Black market|Black Market's]] cameo remains the only ones in all of ''Generals'' and ''Zero Hour'' that has incorrectly colored accents; Townes is an American general, so it should be colored blue (red is China's faction color).
  +
  +
==See also==
  +
* [[Crusader tank]], basic [[USA|American]] counterpart
  +
* [[Battlemaster tank]], [[China|Chinese]] counterpart
  +
* [[Scorpion tank (Generals 1)|Scorpion tank]], [[Global Liberation Army|GLA]] counterpart
  +
{{Generals 1 USA Arsenal|game=Zero Hour}}
  +
{{Tanks}}
 
[[Category:Zero Hour vehicles]]
  +
  +
[[ru:Лазерный танк]]

Revision as of 23:34, 24 December 2023

Laser Crusader ready for engagement!
- Laser Tank rolling out from the War Factory

The Laser Tank (also known as the Laser Crusader) was a futuristic replacement for standard US armour pioneered by Townes and his main battle tank (MBT).

Background

Keep the power flowing!
- Laser Tank

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 (this is probably because a portable reactor for such a lethal weapon could not be developed yet, and thus required a stationary reactor. This could mean that Townes could also have developed a way to provide energy without using direct connection); or why the lasers are not accurate against infantry.

Upgrades

Laser cannon targeting set!
- Laser Tank

Drones

CNCG Predator Drone Cameo
Scout Drone The Scout Drone simply fed battlefield information to the vehicle crew, increasing their sight range and revealing nearby stealthed units. Costs $100.
CNCG Battle Drone Cameo
Battle Drone The Battle Drone was armed with a small machine gun to defeat enemy infantry, and could also repair its parent vehicle. Costs $300.
CNCG Hellfire Drone Cameo
Hellfire Drone The Hellfire Drone, available in Zero Hour, fired a small but surprisingly powerful missile against enemy ground units. Costs $500.

Drones can be further upgraded with Drone Armor, increasing their durability.

Structure-specific

Composite Armor installed sir.
- Crusader
CNCG Composite Armour Cameo
Composite Armour This upgrade improves the armor of each Crusader. Purchasable at any Strategy Center for $2000
Gen1 Advanced Training Icons
Advanced Training Allowed Crusader, along with all other USA units gain veteran status twice as fast. Purchasable at any Strategy Center for $1500

Game Unit

Tactics

Power up the lasers!
- Laser Tank on the attack

The laser generated by the Laser Tank was more dangerous to enemy armor than even a standard 120mm tank shell. Only the Chinese Overlord could match the Laser Tank's damage, and Townes' machines were far cheaper and faster. This often afforded them much more flexibility in engagements than the cumbersome Overlord while still packing the same 'punch'. In large numbers, they were more than capable of decimating entire armored columns in seconds.

As with most US tanks, Laser Tanks, when in large groups, can even defeat Overlord Tanks.

Counters

Keep the power flowing!
- Laser Tank

Laser Crusaders had a unique weakness - the need to maintain a steady level of power at the nearest base for Laser Tanks to be used. This meant that destroying enough of Townes' power plants would not just shut down his base defenses, but also the Laser Tanks. Each Laser Tank drains one unit of energy - potentially turning troops supplied by captured Reinforcement Pads from a utility to a liability.

Laser Tanks are also fairly ineffective against infantry, needing support against rocket-toting infantry - a weakness inherited from its mainline counterpart. Avengers are effective for this purpose, while anti-infantry backup units or a combat drone upgrade to the tank itself are needed to deal with the rocket-armed infantry. Avengers are also a necessity to protect these tanks from air assault - the Laser Tank's cannon can eliminate ground-based threats while supporting Avengers tear apart encroaching aircraft with their own lasers.

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

Selected Quotes

The Crusader borrows the voiceset of the standard Crusader, with additional specialized lines.

Laser Crusader ready for engagement!
- When emerging from the War Factory
Keep the power flowing!
- When selected
Laser cannon targeting set!
- When selected
Power up the lasers!
- When ordered to attack
Releasing energy pulse!
- When ordered to attack
Raising intensity!
- When ordered to attack

Trivia

  • The tank shares some of its lines with the Crusader Tank, even the line "Crusader Tank responding". It does have several new lines (see Selected Quotes above), however. In quotes, the laser tank also refers to itself as a "laser crusader".
  • Insights, such as the Soviet Union's attempt at such an advanced weapon, indicate that a successful production of an actual laser weapon armored vehicle would also mean that it would be the most expensive tank in the world, topping the South Korean K2 Black Panther tank which sits at over $8 million a unit.
  • Although this unit is the original American Crusader Tank developed for Townes, the word "Crusader" is almost nowhere in the game except in the files.
  • The various laser weapons in Generals are typically very precise, yet the Laser Crusader suffers from the same lack of accuracy against infantry that the normal Crusader does. This was likely done for balancing reasons.
  • The Laser Crusader's and the GLA Black Market's cameo remains the only ones in all of Generals and Zero Hour that has incorrectly colored accents; Townes is an American general, so it should be colored blue (red is China's faction color).

See also

Gen USA Logo United States of America War against the GLA Arsenal Gen USA Logo
Sheppard Tanks CNCTW Scorpion Tank Cameo