BAE Systems completes trials of ATLAS UGV

Image courtesy BAE Systems 

The trials are part of the ongoing development for a next generation modular autonomous land capability designed to support main battle tank or combat reconnaissance vehicle capabilities.

Since September 2024, the ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV) has been the focus of significant trial activities at all levels of autonomy – from teleoperation to waypoint-based navigation, to full ‘sense and avoid autonomy’ – and is a fully functional prototype demonstrator.

ATLAS represents a combat multiplier, a fighting vehicle that increases combat mass and reduces the soldier’s exposure to risk. The prototype platform is manoeuverable and fast, making it an ideal companion for both tracked and wheeled crewed combat vehicles across difficult terrain and in all weather and environmental conditions.

The ATLAS CCV can be delivered in multiple payload configurations. As shown in the assault configuration, the vehicle is armed with a new, lightweight, affordable, highly automated medium calibre turret system called ‘VANTAGE’, designed for use on uncrewed platforms.

The VANTAGE turret integrates BAE Systems’ passive Multi-Spectral Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System (ATTCS), delivering high levels of automated operation, reducing operator cognitive load, enabling one-to-many operation and reducing the probability of detection and the time to target engagement.

Andrew Gresham, Managing Director – Defence Delivery, BAE Systems Australia, said: “In just 16 months, we have gone from launching ATLAS at Land Forces to operating a fully functional prototype demonstrator.

“ATLAS has been developed to give soldiers the advantage on the modern battlefield.

“This has resulted in an autonomous platform that will deliver the dull, dirty and dangerous tasks expected in a combat environment.”