User:Delta Team Curt/M401 Cluster Laser Emitter

The M401 Cluster Laser Emitter, or more commonly referred to as point defense lasers, is a defensive weapons system mounted aboard military naval vessels. The CLE uses a high energy beam to destroy hostile missiles, parasite craft, or other small vessels.

Development
Originally designed in the years before the end of the Human-Covenant War, the M401 was intended to be the replacement for the aging MLA Autocannon. Despite the ingenuity of the design, the UNSC was not ready to divert resources and funds into developing the M401 and the design was scrapped.

After the Human-Covenant war had ended, the idea of point defense conducted by lasers became a practical idea as rebel groups were plaguing UNSC space. With private vessels and missiles once again becoming an increasing target of UNSCN vessels, the M401 was put into a research and development phase in order to develop it as a viable alternative to projectile PD.

Despite interest in laser technologies, the M401 program received little to no funding at points between 2554 and 2559. With little support the program was almost ready to be scrapped only months before the beginning of the Second Human Civil War. When the UCC came to dominance in the outer colonies, the M401 was pushed into the development stage as a way to gain the upper hand against the UCCN.

Design
The M401 CLE is made up of ten smaller units similar to Pulse Lasers that are assembled within the Cluster. The lasers themselves are a scaled down version of the Pulse LaserEach individual unit is aimed and fired according to the firing solution provided by a shipboard AI or Firing Control. The firing solution will usually fire lasers in a sequence to allow others to charge their capacitors and adjust.