Editing Chameleon

{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image = Chameleon_RGilClan v25.jpg
|name = ''Chameleon''
|manufacturer = 
[[Defiance Industries]]<ref name=TRSWp78f>''Technical Readout: Succession Wars'', pp. 78–79: CLN-7V Chameleon</ref> <!-- reprinted from TRO:3058U -->
----
[[J.B. BattleMechs Incorporated|J.B. BattleMechs Inc.]]<ref name=TRSWp78f />
|production year = 3056
|year reference = <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/543/chameleon-cln-7v MUL online entry for ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
|model = CLN-7V<ref name=TRSWp78f />
|class = Medium
|introduced = [[2510]]<ref>''Era Digest: Age of War'', p. 11</ref>
|cost = 4,623,375 [[C-bill]]s
|Tech Base = Inner Sphere
|mech type = BattleMech
|mass = 50
|chassis = [[Enran TXS2A]] <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
|armor = [[SimplePlate Manufacturers Type M]]
|engine = [[Vlar 300]] <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
|comsys = [[Jolex Systems]] <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
|T&T = [[Optisight-12]] <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
|heat sinks = 10 [[Heat Sink|single]] <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
|speed = 97 <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
|jumpjets = [[McCloud Specials]] <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
|armament = <!-- <ref name=TRSWp78f /> -->
* 1x [[large laser]]
* 2x [[medium laser]]
* 3x [[small laser]]
* 2x [[machine gun]]
|BV (1.0) = 839<ref name=TRO3058Up132f/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades'', p. 213</ref>
|BV (2.0) = 1,042<ref name=TRSWp78f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)'', p. 240</ref>
}}

==Description==
Since the [[Terran Hegemony]] introduced it in [[2510]], the '''''Chameleon''''' has been the premiere training [[BattleMech]] for light- and medium-BattleMech MechWarriors. In fact, with its role away from the battlefield, except in the most desperate of circumstances, the ''Chameleon'' has suffered relatively little attrition. Combined with its continuous production on [[Hesperus II]], the ''Chameleon'' is one of the most common BattleMechs. Even in the thirty-first century, the ''Chameleon'' is widely used at academies and training cadres throughout the [[Inner Sphere]].<ref name=TRO3058p106>''Technical Readout: 3058'', p. 106</ref><ref name=TRO3058Up132f>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', pp. 132–133: "Chameleon"</ref>

The ''Chameleon'' was designed to help a new [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] master the skills of maneuvering and heat management, with a top speed of 97.2 km/h and a jumping distance of 180 meters. The 'Mech also had an almost all-energy-weapon loadout, but was cooled by only 10 [[Heat Sink|single heat sinks]]; this paucity of freezers forces MechWarriors to concentrate on the 'Mech's heat levels. In some instances, the ''Chameleon'' had been forced into combat situations, notably during the [[Dragoon Civil War]] and the [[Battle_of_Terra_(3058)|World of Blake's conquest of Terra]].<ref>''Wolf Pack'', p. ??{{cn}}</ref><ref name=TRO3058p106/><ref name=TRO3058Up132f/>

Production of the ''Chameleon'' halted briefly in [[3052]] when [[Defiance Industries]] decided to switch its production to the ''[[Nightsky]]'', but was quickly resumed when [[J.B. BattleMechs Incorporated]] purchased the rights to the design.  J.B. BattleMechs also introduced two battleworthy variants of the ''Chameleon''.<ref name=TRO3058p106/><ref name=TRO3058Up132f/>

The ''Chameleon'' is a training 'Mech, intended to simulate a variety of opponents by mounting a wide variety of weapon systems. While a medium 'Mech by design, it doesn't always look like one; it can be fitted out with extra plates to modify its appearance, and carries special electronics to falsify its signature. It is these special abilities that let it look and scan as something other than what it is, hence the machine's name.<ref name=WP>''Wolf Pack'', ch. 41</ref>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The ''Chameleon'' carried a basic arsenal that allowed a MechWarrior-in-training to learn the skill of heat management. The 'Mech's reliable low-tech arsenal proved effective when forced into combat; the primary weapon was a [[Cyclops Eye]] [[large laser]], backed up by two [[Medium laser#Intek|Intek]] [[medium laser]]s, and a trio of [[Defiance B3S]] [[small laser]]s. To make the threat of overheating more real to the new MechWarrior, the 'Mech carried two [[Scatter Gun Light]] [[machine gun]]s that could be used for anti-infantry training.<ref name=TRO3058p106/><ref name=TRO3058Up132f/>

==Variants==
*; TRC-4B : Also referred to as the CHM-3 ''Chameleon Training Scout'',<ref name=B2EBTp1>''BattleTech 2nd Edition: BattleMech Training'', p. 1</ref> this formerly common but now obscure training 'Mech was armed with one [[large laser]], two [[medium laser]]s, four [[small laser]]s, and two [[machine gun]]s. With only 10 [[single heat sink]], this [['Mech]] was quite prone to overheating, forcing trainees to carefully manage their heat. As manufactured, this 'Mech is perhaps the only [[Level 1]] official, if not canonical, design with three critical spaces of equipment installed in the center torso, two [[machine gun]]s and half a ton of ammo, in violation of the design rules released with it. Additionally, as released, a quarter ton of armor remained unallocated. BV (1.0) = 811; BV (2.0) = 999<ref name=B2EBTp1 />

*; CLN-4V : An editing error. ''Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)'', page 241, presented the stats for the TRC-4B but gave the designator as CLN-4V. This was corrected to TRC-4B in official errata, and it was also expressly clarified that there is no CLN-4V variant of the ''Chameleon''.<ref>In [https://bg.battletech.com/forums/ask-the-writers/a-question-about-the-chameleon/msg1656002/#msg1656002 this] posting on the official [[BattleTech forum]] by [[Joshua "nckestrel" Franklin]]: ''"There is errata for RS 3058U stating "Chameleon CLN-4V, p. 241 designation - replace "CLN-4V" with "TRC-4B"" IE. There is no CLN-4V."''</ref>

*; CLN-7W : The 7W variant of the ''Chameleon'' looked to use the 'Mech in a full-time combat role. The 'Mech upgraded the [[large laser]] to an [[ER large laser]]. Additionally, the [[machine gun]]s and [[small laser]]s were removed and replaced with a [[medium pulse laser]] and [[double heat sink]]s. J.B. BattleMechs allowed pilots to turn off the heat management software for battlefield flexibility.<ref name=TRSWp78f /> BV (1.0) = 1,101;<ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades'', p. 214</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,243<ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)'', p. 242</ref>

*; CLN-7Z : Another J.B. BattleMechs combat variant of the ''Chameleon'', the 7Z carried as its primary weapons two [[large laser]]s and a single [[ER large laser]]. The 7Z carried no other weapons on its chassis and used 12 [[double heat sink]]s to handle its massive heat load.<ref name=TRSWp78f /> BV (1.0) = 1,283;<ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades'', p. 215</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,527<ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)'', p. 243</ref>

*; CLN-7VQ : This one-off ''Q-Mech'' variant of the ''Chameleon'' hunted down and attacked senior officers at several academies across the [[Inner Sphere]]. It was equipped with a [[heavy PPC]] and [[PPC capacitor]], and three [[improved heavy medium laser]]s tied into an advanced [[Clan]] [[targeting computer]]. An [[Angel ECM suite]] was mounted in the center torso to disguise its weapons. Despite the increased scrutiny and security at academies caused by this 'Mech, it wasn't a success on the field, with only one confirmed kill.<ref name=XTRO:Pp4>''Experimental Technical Readout: Phantoms'', p. 4</ref>

*; CLN-8V : This variant sought to make the ''Chameleon'' a capable frontline fighter. The weapons complement was changed considerably. An [[ER large laser]] and standard [[medium laser]] were mounted in the right arm. Another medium laser remained in the left arm. Two [[medium X-pulse laser]]s were mounted in the right torso, while another was mounted in the left. A pair of machine guns were still carried in the center torso but now shared a [[CASE II]]–protected half-ton magazine in the left torso. To make room for all these improvements, a 300 XL engine was used. The heat sinks were upgrade to twelve doubles. Nine tons of standard armor protected this variant. BV (2.0) = 1,426<ref name=RGIv25p9>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 25'', p. 9</ref>

*; CLN-9V : Another attempt to make the ''Chameleon'' perform in real combat, the 9V took an uncommon approach. Mounting only six tons of [[light ferro-fibrous]] armor, this variant instead relied on [[reinforced structure]] to increase its durability. A [[light PPC]] was now the main gun in the right arm, with both arms also featuring an [[ER medium laser]]. Three [[small X-pulse lasers]] resided in the torsos, with one in the left and two in the right. Standard [[machine gun]]s remained in the center torso, but their half-ton of ammo was protected by [[CASE II]] in the left torso. A light fusion engine and ten double heat sinks were also used by this variant. BV (2.0) = 1,276<ref name=RGIv25p9 />

==Design Quirks==
The CLN-7V ''Chameleon'' is subject to the following [[Design Quirk]]:<ref>''BattleMech Manual'', p. 90: BattleMech Quirk Table -CLN-7V Entry</ref>
* [[Easy to Pilot]]

The CLN-7VQ ''Chameleon'' variant is subject to the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref name=XTRO:Pp4/>
* [[Easy to Pilot]]
* [[Non-Standard Parts]]

==Notable Pilots==
:''See [[:Category:Notable Chameleon Pilots]]''

==Notes==
* In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to '''''Chamäleon'''''. The model code was left unchanged.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
TRC-4B_Chameleon.jpg‎|Original TRC-4B ''Chameleon'' from ''[[BattleTech, Second Edition]]'' rulebook
Chameleon.jpg|''Chameleon'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3058|TRO:3058]]''
Chameleon Q.jpg|Experimental CLN-7VQ ''Chameleon'' from ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Phantoms|XTRO:Phantoms]]''
Chameleon_RGilClan_v25.jpg|''Chameleon'' from ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 25|RGilClan: vol. 25]]''
CCG Arsenal Chameleon.jpg|CLN-7W ''Chameleon'' in battle from ''[[BattleTech Trading Card Game|BTTCG]]''
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[BattleTech 2nd Edition]]''
* ''[[Era Digest: Age of War]]''
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Phantoms]]''
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3055/3058]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3058]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Wolf Pack]]'' (novel)

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[[Category:Medium BattleMechs]]
[[Category:50 ton BattleMechs]]
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[[Category:German renamed units]]