Launched at Land Forces in September 2024, the ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant has undergone extensive testing across all levels of autonomy. These have ranged from teleoperation and waypoint-based navigation to full ‘sense and avoid’ autonomy, with the platform operating as a fully functional prototype demonstrator.
According to the company, ATLAS is designed as a combat multiplier that increases combat mass while reducing soldiers’ exposure to risk. The prototype is described as manoeuvrable and fast, enabling it to operate alongside tracked and wheeled crewed combat vehicles across difficult terrain and in varied weather and environmental conditions.
The ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant can be configured with multiple payload options. In its assault configuration, the vehicle is equipped with the new lightweight, affordable and highly automated medium calibre ‘VANTAGE’ turret system, developed for uncrewed platforms.
The VANTAGE turret integrates BAE Systems’ passive Multi-Spectral Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System. The company states that this provides high levels of automated operation, reduces operator cognitive load, enables one-to-many operation and lowers the probability of detection as well as the time to target engagement.
Andrew Gresham, Managing Director – Defence Delivery at 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.”
