BAE Systems has launched a new ground-based combat robot for the Australian Army, aiming to enhance the nation’s defense capabilities with cutting-edge unmanned systems. Unveiled at the Land Forces 2024 exhibition in Melbourne, the Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) is designed to perform combat and surveillance missions while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way.
The ATLAS vehicle, an 8×8 armored platform, is part of BAE Systems' broader push to introduce uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) to the Australian Army. This move comes as the Army transforms its 1st Armored Regiment into a test unit for evaluating UGVs, robotics, drones, and counter-drone technologies. The regiment, based in Adelaide, will shift away from traditional manned tanks, such as the M1A1 Abrams, to prioritize emerging technologies. By February 2025, the unit will achieve operational capability for these experimental platforms.
A coordinated attack on enemy positions using a ground drone, mortar, and FPV.
Part of the enemy was eliminated, the rest fled. The ground robotic system took several hits from RPGs and FPVs but held out, completed the mission, and returned for repairs pic.twitter.com/SPr9A35BSr
— ⚔️Cpt. Cornelius🇮🇱 (@CptCornelius) September 19, 2024
BAE Systems’ ATLAS vehicle is not just another UGV—it represents a leap forward in military autonomy and battlefield flexibility. Equipped with a Bushmaster 25mm cannon, the vehicle can also accommodate a variety of modular weapons and surveillance tools, such as mortars and anti-tank missiles. These versatile capabilities allow ATLAS to support a range of missions, including reconnaissance, convoy protection, and flank security. The modular nature of the platform also means that different armaments or systems can be installed depending on the mission requirements.
One of the vehicle's standout features is its capacity to carry up to six tons of cargo or weapons, making it highly suitable for various military operations. Additionally, the ATLAS is designed to be easily transportable, with the ability to fit into a standard 20-foot shipping container or a C-17 aircraft, providing rapid deployment capabilities across different terrains.
Future of warfare: Airlift of "robot dog" ground drone by large bomber drone. pic.twitter.com/LzHhuOOohJ
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 23, 2024
The ATLAS vehicle employs a Supacat HMT Extenda chassis, already proven in combat scenarios, and a Slovenian Vantage unmanned turret. It utilizes advanced sensors, including LIDAR and electro-optical systems, to detect and engage targets autonomously. However, the decision to fire remains under human control, in accordance with U.S. and allied military policies on unmanned systems.
This next-generation UGV is seen as a critical development for the Australian Army, which is striving to modernize its fleet and maintain a technological edge over adversaries in the Indo-Pacific. With Australia increasingly focused on countering China’s growing military presence in the region, systems like ATLAS are expected to play a significant role in future defense strategies. Paul Finch, project manager for land autonomy at BAE Systems Australia, emphasized the vehicle’s cost-effectiveness and adaptability, noting that it can operate alongside traditional manned platforms like infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.
Notably, the introduction of the ATLAS aligns with Australia’s broader defense ambitions, which include bolstering capabilities in robotics and unmanned systems. The Army has already begun using optionally manned M113 vehicles, which BAE Systems helped convert. These tracked vehicles are undergoing further upgrades with software and sensors derived from the ATLAS project, offering a glimpse of the Army’s increasing reliance on autonomous systems.
As BAE Systems continues to refine the ATLAS platform, it faces competition from other defense contractors, many of which are also developing UGVs for military use. However, BAE's wheeled configuration is considered advantageous for road mobility and rapid deployment, particularly in environments like Australia’s vast and varied landscapes.
