On 11 September 20224 BAE Systems Australia unveiled a new uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) that “gives military commanders an added tactical option while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way”, the company announced.
Called the Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV), the new vehicle has been designed as a cost effective, modular, 8×8 UGV that leverages BAE Systems’ knowhow in autonomous technology and armoured vehicles.
“The future battlefield will involve a mix of autonomous, semi-autonomous and human-machine teams, generating combat mass and removing soldiers from many of the most dangerous tasks,” BAE Systems stated. “ATLAS CCV will operate using high levels of autonomy both on and off-road, complementing crewed counterparts such as infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks, at a lower cost. The vehicle incorporates existing, proven technologies to provide a cost-effective capability that is mission configurable and upgradable so that it continues to evolve to counter new and emerging technologies and threats.”
The autonomy system at the core of the ATLAS CCV will ‘drive’ the vehicle, avoid obstacles, route plan, and make tactical decisions. The vehicle is equipped with a new, lightweight, highly automated medium-calibre turret called Vantage ATS that is armed with an M242 Bushmaster 25mm cannon, providing lethal fire to a range of 2,500 m. A ready-use ammunition capacity of 260 rounds allows for multiple engagements and high battlefield persistence. BAE Systems emphasised that the turret is designed with a ‘human in-the-loop’ targeting system.
Alternatively, BAE Systems notes that the ATLAS CCV’s 10-tonne combat weight and rugged suspension system provide a stable firing platform that can accommodate a 120 mm automated mortar system or counter unmanned aerial vehicle payload.
Sensors on board the ATLAS CCV include 360 multi-spectral automatic target detection, tracking and classification system; a day camera and thermal imaging sensor; a LiDAR system; acoustic sensors; and a passive electronic warfare system.
The vehicle is powered by a Cummins ISB six-cylinder 6.7-litre diesel engine and features an Allison 3000 automatic transmission. Its driveline is provided by Supacat and has high commonality with the HMT vehicle family.
In terms of mobility the ATLAS CCV has a ‘crab walk’ steering capability, a turning circle of 13 m and can negotiate 2 m gaps, a 1 m vertical step, 60° vertical slopes and 30° side slopes, allowing it to match the mobility of armoured vehicles such as tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
According to BAE Systems, the ATLAS CCV can perform a wide range of combat and combat support roles that can supplement a traditional main force where increased lethality, coverage and battlefield flexibility are required, but can also undertake missions in a stand-alone capacity where the presence of an uncrewed platform is preferred over crewed vehicles.
It can also undertake missions in a stand-alone capacity where the presence of an uncrewed platform is preferred over crewed vehicles.
“We’ve developed the ATLAS vehicle to give soldiers the advantage on the modern battlefield,” Andrew Gresham, managing director for defence delivery at BAE Systems Australia, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This has resulted in an autonomous platform that will deliver the dull, dirty and dangerous tasks expected in a combat environment.
“ATLAS will enable the Australian Army to be fit to fight in the littoral environment. It will help the soldier outpace, out-manoeuvre and out-think conventional and unconventional threats,” Gresham added. “We have proven expertise in autonomous technologies, built on more than 30 years of complex autonomous projects. We’re excited that this is the first UGV of its kind to be developed in Australia and look forward to working with our industry partners to deliver this capability for our customers.”
The ATLAS CCV is easily transportable, designed to fit into a standard 20 ft (6 m) ISO container or 20 ft ISO flat rack. It will also deliver a logistics multiplier effect for companion crewed platforms, effectively extending the combat endurance of vehicles currently in service.
To deliver the ATLAS CCV BAE Systems has worked with partners including Supacat in the UK/Australia, Marand in Australia and Valhalla Turrets in Slovenia.
