The Kremlin is talking about reviving Russia's laser tank-building programme
The most iconic Soviet attempt at a tank-mounted laser is the 1K17 "Compression" — one is now on display at Russia's Army Technology Museum.
At first glance, it looks like one of the many vehicle-mounted missile launchers used by military forces around the world, like this TOS-1 Russian model.
The laser was based on a large ruby, and wouldn't have been able to actually destroy targets — the aim was to scramble navigation and electronic systems.
From the side or rear, it's much harder to tell if there's anything interesting about the space-age effort, but it's a bizarre relic. However, there's clearly some interest in bringing back.
The original efforts could be expanded, according to the article — since optical and electronic systems are now more connected, a modern laser could take out an 'armada' of enemy vehicles.
The chassis of the vehicle comes from a Msta-S, a Soviet-era artillery piece capable of carrying the heavy gun.
The "Sanguine" model was a later and more advanced variant, which could reportedly disable a helicopter's optical systems at a distance of six miles.
Importantly, the more maneuverable laser meant it could be more easily pointed upwards towards targets in the air.
The Rossiyskaya Gazeta article mentions the US development of a rail gun weapon, shown off to the media in February, as a reason to develop the laser tanks.
Russia's new "Armata" tank was unveiled in May 2015. It's touted by the government as the most advanced tank in the world
The tank broke down and had to be towed at an event in May. So it may not be ready as the basis from which a new sort of laser-armed tank could be made.
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