I can't remember who, but someone a couple of months back was discussing trying to convert weapons like the ML-16 and VLL-9 into actual lasers, by basing them off beams. They'd have a low fire duration to match the original weapons specs, and they'd have no "pierce" flag, but the only real change would be since the shots hit the target instantaneously so you wouldn't lead your target to fire. I remembered this, since the balistic primary Avenger was also discussed in that thread.
On the subject of the Avenger, is it possible with balistic primaries, to have the number of shots you can carry vary depending on what ship you're flying? For example, a Herc could cary more than a Valkyrie, right?
Later!