ATLAS: BAE System’s next-gen armed ground drone can navigate autonomously

BAE Systems has unveiled its new cutting-edge ground drone –named ATLAS – that is aimed at giving armies an additional tactical option while keeping their soldiers out of harm’s way and out of the direct line of fire.

The Autonomous Tactical Light Armor System (ATLAS) collaborative combat variant is an uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) which has been rolled out by BAE Systems in Australia.

According to the company, it is a cost-effective, 8×8 UGV which can replace soldiers on deadly missions, thus decreasing risk and ensuring execution of the task at hand.

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 said in a press release.

BAE System’s ATLAS ground drone

ATLAS 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 company says.

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 will ‘drive’ the vehicle, avoid obstacles, route plan, and make tactical decisions, according to the specifications.

It is armed with a lightweight, affordable, highly automated medium caliber turret system called ‘VANTAGE’ ATS’, designed for use on uncrewed platforms.

It is important to note that the turret is designed with a ‘human in-the-loop’ targeting system.

BAE System also said that the ATLAS is easily transportable, designed to fit into a standard 20-foot ISO container or 20-foot ISO flat rack.

Other benefits associated with the ground drone

The ground drone can also deliver a logistics multiplier effect for companion crewed platforms, effectively extending the combat endurance of vehicles currently in service.

“We’ve developed the ATLAS vehicle 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,” said Andrew Gresham, Managing Director – Defence Delivery at BAE Systems Australia.

“ATLAS will enable the Australian Army to be fit to fight in the littoral environment. It will help the soldier outpace, out-maneuver and out-think conventional and unconventional threats.”

BAE System said it has worked with partners – including Supacat in the UK/Australia, Valhalla Turrets in Slovenia and Victorian manufacturer Marand – to deliver the ground drone.

Earlier, the US Navy had selected BAE Systems to develop Dual Band Decoy (DBD) – a radio frequency (RF) self-protection jammer meant to shield fighter jets from enemies.

The RF self-protection jammer is aimed at adding an extra layer of security to the US Navy jets. It provides cutting-edge jamming technology which can disrupt enemy radars and lure missiles away from the aircraft.