Chameleon ATR-4X LAM

[Black_Knyght]

A Star League era training/combat Land-Air Mech for thoughts, opinions, and constructive input.



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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 31st century, the Chameleon is widely used at academies and training cadres throughout the Inner Sphere.

Often referred to as the Chameleon ATR-4X LAM Combat Flight Training Scout, this formerly uncommon but now highly obscure training 'Mech was armed with one Thundeflash light PPC, two Intek Medium Lasers and four Defiance B3E extended-range Small Lasers. With only 12 double heat sinks this 'Mech was quite prone to overheating. As manufactured, this 'Mech is perhaps the only Land-Air Mech trainer ever recorded to exist.

The Chameleon ATR-4X LAM was designed to help a new MechWarrior master the various skills of maneuvering, transformation, flight training, and heat management needed to pilot the then cutting-edge L.A.M.s. With a top speed of 85.7 kph and a jumping distance of one hundred and fifty meters, the Chameleon ATR-4X LAM allowed fledgling pilots to learn the complexities of piloting a variable configuration Land-Air Mech. The Chameleon ATR-4X also had an all energy weapons loadout, but was cooled only by twelve double heat sinks. This arrangement of the weapons array forces MechWarriors to concentrate on managing heat levels while learning about the 'Mech's ability to strafe ground targets. In later years, some Chameleon ATR-4X LAMs had been forced into combat situations, notably during the Succession Wars.

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 had proven effective when forced into combat. The primary weapon was a Thundeflash light PPC, fitted with a capacitor to simulate firing a larger, heaver energy weapon. This was backed up by two Intek Medium Lasers and four Defiance B3E extended-range Small Lasers. To make the threat of overheating more real to the new MechWarrior, the 'Mech could have it's double heat sinks shut down remotely by flight instructors. Production of the Chameleon ATR-4X LAM halted in 3005 when Defiance Industries decided could no longer manage to construct the complex transformation equipment needed for them.


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Chameleon ATR-4X LAM

Code: [Select]

Chameleon ATR-4X LAM
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Base Tech Level: Experimental (IS)
Level: 4  Era: Succession Wars
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Experimental  3075-3080
Advanced        3081+ 
Standard          -   
Extinct         3085+ 
Tech Rating: E/X-X-F-X

Weight: 50 tons
BV: 1,836
Cost: 5,148,125 C-bills
Source: TRO - Black Knights

Movement: 5/8/5
AirMech: 2/3/15/23
Fighter: 5/8
Engine: 250
Double Heat Sinks: 12 [24]
Gyro: Standard Gyro

Internal: 83
Armor: 144/169
                     Internal  Armor   
----------------------------------------
Head                        3      9   
Center Torso               16     21   
Center Torso (rear)                6   
Right Torso                12     17   
Right Torso (rear)                 5   
Left Torso                 12     17   
Left Torso (rear)                  5   
Right Arm                   8     16   
Left Arm                    8     16   
Right Leg                  12     16   
Left Leg                   12     16   

Weapons         Loc  Heat 
---------------------------
Light PPC        RA    5   
Medium Laser     RT    3   
Medium Laser     LT    3   
ER Small Laser   RT    2   
ER Small Laser   RT    2   
ER Small Laser   LT    2   
ER Small Laser   LT    2
 
Equipment      Loc 
--------------------
PPC Capacitor   RA 



History:  LAM's not coded into MegaMek for play. Unit included for completeness.



[Wereling]

Just a nitpick, but the ERSL is not Star League tech. It was developed after the Exodus, and re-created by the Inner Sphere in the 3050s.

When was this supposed to be produced? Is this a refit package for an existing LAM? light ppcs aren't star league tech either.

[packhntr]

Just a nitpick, but the ERSL is not Star League tech. It was developed after the Exodus, and re-created by the Inner Sphere in the 3050s.

AS WERE the Lite PPCs

[Black_Knyght]

Oooops (LOL)  :))

Oh well, it was a "just for the fun of it" design anyway... ;)

[Tyler Jorgensson]

Your probably thinking Snub Nose PPC: the concept itself is amusing considering the nature of the Chameleon as a trainer after all.

[Black_Knyght]

Despite my simple errors, the core idea was based on the thought that even LAMs must have some sort of trainer.

Given that the Chameleon is used as a trainer for mechs, it seemed reasonable that a LAM version would serve as a combat trainer for LAMs.

May have to give some thought to reworking it somewhat, and try hard to match the look of the picture I modified for it.

[Wereling]

Despite my simple errors, the core idea was based on the thought that even LAMs must have some sort of trainer.

I'm sure they do. It just needs to be one with tech from the era. You can do a Chameleon LAM at 55 t 5/8/5 with a LL and 2 ML in the same locations as the originals. I did mine up with 15 SHS and 7.5 tons of armor.