BAE Systems’ next-gen unmanned combat vehicle stormed the training grounds with a new weapon for land warfare: a medium-caliber automated turret system named “VANTAGE.”
Short for Autonomous Tactical Light Armor System, ATLAS used the turret to prove its capability as offensive support for main battle tanks during a recent round of land trials.
The VANTAGE reportedly delivers a cost-conscious, lightweight solution for automated target tracking and detection, enabling troops to engage multiple threats at once.
While ATLAS is designed to accommodate a range of mission payloads, the addition of the automated turret positions the vehicle as a “true combat multiplier,” giving troops more firepower while keeping them safer.
BAE also described ATLAS as a fast, highly maneuverable platform, able to support crewed units across tough terrain in any weather.
From Launch to Demonstrator in 16 Months
First unveiled in September 2024, ATLAS is an 8×8 uncrewed ground vehicle built to operate at varying levels of autonomy on and off the road.
A suite of advanced sensors allows it to understand complex environments in real time, making on-the-spot decisions to navigate obstacles and complete its mission.
The platform was transformed from a launch product to a functioning demonstrator in just 16 months, according to Andrew Gresham, Managing Director of Defence Delivery at BAE Systems Australia.
“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,” he said.
“We are currently engaged in significant marketing and customer engagement activities in international markets.”
