Do all MAX AV weapons now have a huge plume when firing?

I tried the Vortex and Comet in the VR, and noticed that when I fire them, a huge plasma ball pops up in the middle of my screen. Is that true for the TR and NC as well? This is also true of the Lancer. So far it only seems to happen on VS energy weapons, not the common pool stuff.

I wonder if it was meant to make AV weapon users more obvious when they launch.