Chameleon Light Polarization Shield
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The Chameleon Light Polarization Shield is a BattleMech stealth system developed by the Terran Hegemony in 2630 alongside the Null Signature System.[1]
Description[edit]
Though incapable of 'true' invisibility, the Light Polarization Shield enabled a BattleMech to blend more cleanly with the terrain, blurring the 'outline' of a mech with a primitive mimetic system. Presumably less precise or responsive than modern optical camouflages, Chameleon is unique in that the protection offered is constant regardless of how quickly the 'Mech moves. Mildly useful at medium range, the LPS was most useful at long to extreme ranges, and is noted as being effective against the naked eye of conventional infantry. Chameleon, however, does not mask the heat or EM signature of the BattleMech and is naturally paired with NullSig.[2]
As one of the key technological advances of the Terran Hegemony and Star League, the Chameleon LPS was jealously guarded. It was never deployed in large numbers, appearing only on one variant of the Exterminator used by the Star League Defense Force Royal Divisions. However, the Chameleon may have been installed on one or more versions of the Spector, or retrofitted into 'Mechs used by the SLDF Special Armed Services units. Due to their continued limited production of CLPS Exterminators, ComStar likely retained an understanding of the CLPS and used the few Chameleon LPS systems they had to refine the concept, ultimately allowing the Word of Blake to develop the Mimetic Armor used by the Purifier Adaptive battlesuit in 3061. By 3070, the Void Signature system would evolve from these technologies, marrying Mimetic Armor's resolution with NullSig's capabilities via an ECM suite.[2]
Though several Exterminators equipped with the CLPS were a part of the Exodus, the Clans saw it as a dishonorable tool used by inferior warriors and mothballed it.