Trielectric Permitivity

Category:Technologies
 is a technology in Starcom: Unknown Space 
Description: Increases the maximum effective range of our lasers.
Research Point Cost: 80 RP
Pre-requisite(s): Lasers I
(spoilers!)
 
Because laser turrets will focus on a selected target until it is destroyed or it moves out of range, there is some benefit to keeping your laser range artificially short if you prefer to use the 'Auto, Free' Laser targeting mode to shoot down closer hostiles such as missiles, Havok warheads, fighters, scout-class ships, etc. If your laser range is too large, your laser turrets may all lock onto a distant (but tough) enemy and fail to shoot down closer (easier) threats.
The reverse is true of players who would prefer to use their plasma turrets for point defense, and their lasers to target specific enemies or enemy modules in the 'Auto, Locked' (long laser range, short plasma range). This is also a valid approach, but the control scheme will need to be taken into account (i.e. micro-management of the secondary weapons target as needed, and the use of the Plasma Autofire command as needed).