Laser

The Laser is the European Federation's WMD response to the Russian Thermobaric Missile Strike and the American Kinetic Strike; is the "Orbital Energy Laser Strike", "Satellite-Based Laser Response Unit" or "High Energy Laser Strike System" (amongst other code-names). It is a high energy laser capable of obliterating enemy units during DEFCON 1 of any battle. It is also known to be the most precise and quickest on target of all 3 faction's WMDs.

Description[]

The most high-tech weapon in use by the European Federation Enforcer Corps in 2020 is a military satellite outfitted with a revolutionary type of directed energy weapon. The satellite uses an ultrapowerful chemical laser fired capable of annihilating units within a considerable radius.^[1]

The Orbital Laser Satellite appears to physically resembles the SLAMS satellites shown in the story introduction. It is not clear if they are the same thing given that the Laser produces a far more powerful blast than the SLAMS strike seen on the Freedom Star launcher, Europe didn't begin putting the Laser satellites into space until after SLAMS system was already active and the fact that United States also has access to the SLAMS network but does not use the Laser, instead relying on kinetic bombardment. This probably means that it is a weapon exclusive to Europe. In addition, the EndWar novelisation contrasts American kinetic strike satellites with European laser satellites, indicating that the Laser and SLAMS are not synonymous.^[2] It should be noted that in EndWar: The Hunted, the JSF do use a space-based laser, although it appears far weaker than the European WMD, simply damaging a hovercraft's engines.^[3] However, it is also possible that Orbital Lasers serve as part of the missile shield in a dual role function.

History[]

The earliest space-based laser was developed by the United States and Europe following the nuclear destruction of the Middle East in 2016, resulting in the Space-Land-Air-Missile Shield. This system could destroy ICBMs before they were even in the air. By 2017 the new project was praised a success and the world celebrated the end of nuclear war.

Arms Race[]

After the United States launched its first kinetic bombardment satellite into space, the European Federation responded with outrage. In response, Europe launched her own orbital weapons system, deploying these powerful orbital lasers in response. By the end of 2019, both the US and Europe had each deployed a dozen weapon satellites into orbit.

Prelude to War[]

During the events leading to the war, one of the satellite uplinks was hacked and programmed to identify the Freedom IV as a missile. The Orbital Laser would later destroy the Space Shuttle, causing the United States and Russia to declared war on the European Federation.

The destructive power of the EFEC laser satellite is far beyond that of any Advanced Tactical High Energy Laser^[4]. Its physical design suggests that it is some type of extremely high-powered chemical laser. It could be a variant of the SLAMS satellite.

Orbital Laser in the Tom Clancy's Novel[]

In the book EndWar, they are mentioned and were used against Russian 130X aircraft, but are never used against the ISS, as the United States used one of it's ANGELS (Autonomous Nano-satellite Guardian Evaluating Local Space) to take down the ISS.

The fate of the rest of the network of satellites is unknown, given the lack of information or fidelity with the game itself.

Trivia[]

This weapon resembles the "Hammer of Dawn" from the popular game Gears of War and Ion Cannon from Command & Conquer game series. All three are fired from a satellite in orbit, have a blue laser effect ("Hammer of Dawn" have yellow), and were built for the same purposes.
Some players believe this weapon has a smaller damage radius than other WMDs. Though visually the laser seems less "explosive", it is in fact just as powerful as the other WMDs.