BMJ
20th February 2026, 11:36
BAE Systems Completes Successful Trials of ATLAS Uncrewed Ground Vehicle
BAE Systems Australia announced the successful trials of its Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) Uncrewed Ground Vehicle (UGV). These trials are part of the ongoing development of a next-generation modular autonomous land capability intended to support the functions of main battle tanks and combat reconnaissance vehicles.
Launched at the Land Forces event in September 2024, the ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV) has undergone extensive trial activities across all levels of autonomy – ranging from teleoperation to waypoint-based navigation, culminating in full ‘sense and avoid autonomy’ – and serves as a fully operational prototype demonstrator.
The prototype platform boasts agility and speed, making it an excellent partner for both tracked and wheeled crewed combat vehicles, capable of navigating challenging terrains and operating under various weather and environmental conditions.
The ATLAS CCV is available in various payload configurations. In the assault configuration, the vehicle is equipped with a new, lightweight, cost-effective, and highly automated medium calibre turret system known as ‘VANTAGE’, specifically designed for deployment on uncrewed platforms.
The VANTAGE turret incorporates BAE Systems’ passive Multi-Spectral Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System (ATTCS), which provides high levels of automated functionality, alleviating operator cognitive load, facilitating one-to-many operations, and decreasing both the likelihood of detection and the time required for target engagement.
Andrew Gresham, Managing Director – Defence Delivery, BAE Systems Australia, said: “In just sixteen 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.”
“We are currently engaged in significant marketing and customer engagement activities in international markets.”
ATLAS Uncrewed Ground Vehicle
The ATLAS is a high-mobility, modular 8×8 Uncrewed Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed by BAE Systems Australia. Designed as a “combat wingman,” the vehicle is intended to support crewed platforms like main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles by performing “dull, dirty, and dangerous” tasks in complex environments.
The system employs a “human-in-the-loop” targeting system, ensuring that weapon engagement decisions are made by a person even when the vehicle navigates autonomously.
The vehicle can be reconfigured for different roles, such as counter-UAV (C-UAV) operations or indirect fire support using a 120mm automated mortar.
Link: https://www.defencetoday.com/land/land-platforms/bae-systems-completes-successful-trials-of-atlas-uncrewed-ground-vehicle/
Link: https://www.baesystems.com/en-aus/product/atlas
BAE Systems Australia announced the successful trials of its Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) Uncrewed Ground Vehicle (UGV). These trials are part of the ongoing development of a next-generation modular autonomous land capability intended to support the functions of main battle tanks and combat reconnaissance vehicles.
Launched at the Land Forces event in September 2024, the ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV) has undergone extensive trial activities across all levels of autonomy – ranging from teleoperation to waypoint-based navigation, culminating in full ‘sense and avoid autonomy’ – and serves as a fully operational prototype demonstrator.
The prototype platform boasts agility and speed, making it an excellent partner for both tracked and wheeled crewed combat vehicles, capable of navigating challenging terrains and operating under various weather and environmental conditions.
The ATLAS CCV is available in various payload configurations. In the assault configuration, the vehicle is equipped with a new, lightweight, cost-effective, and highly automated medium calibre turret system known as ‘VANTAGE’, specifically designed for deployment on uncrewed platforms.
The VANTAGE turret incorporates BAE Systems’ passive Multi-Spectral Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System (ATTCS), which provides high levels of automated functionality, alleviating operator cognitive load, facilitating one-to-many operations, and decreasing both the likelihood of detection and the time required for target engagement.
Andrew Gresham, Managing Director – Defence Delivery, BAE Systems Australia, said: “In just sixteen 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.”
“We are currently engaged in significant marketing and customer engagement activities in international markets.”
ATLAS Uncrewed Ground Vehicle
The ATLAS is a high-mobility, modular 8×8 Uncrewed Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed by BAE Systems Australia. Designed as a “combat wingman,” the vehicle is intended to support crewed platforms like main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles by performing “dull, dirty, and dangerous” tasks in complex environments.
The system employs a “human-in-the-loop” targeting system, ensuring that weapon engagement decisions are made by a person even when the vehicle navigates autonomously.
The vehicle can be reconfigured for different roles, such as counter-UAV (C-UAV) operations or indirect fire support using a 120mm automated mortar.
Link: https://www.defencetoday.com/land/land-platforms/bae-systems-completes-successful-trials-of-atlas-uncrewed-ground-vehicle/
Link: https://www.baesystems.com/en-aus/product/atlas