BAE Systems is also working with TerraSense Analytics, a Canadian AI defence company that supplies the automated targeting system into the ATLAS CCV uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV).
ATLAS CCV is an 8x8, all-wheel drive autonomous vehicle built to take soldiers out of harm’s way on the battlefield. BAE Systems Australia launched the ATLAS CCV in September 2024 and announced the successful testing of its autonomous driving system in February 2026.
The company has also been developing the Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System (ATTCS) with TerraSense for integration with ATLAS, the VANTAGE automated turret system and legacy platforms to enable the highly automated capability necessary in modern UGVs.
Kisa Christensen, Director – Integrated Defence and Autonomy Systems (IDAS) at BAE Systems Australia said the ATLAS UGV represents the culmination of decades of Australian sovereign autonomy capability development.
By combining the expertise we have built locally with the strengths of trusted global partners, we are delivering advanced autonomous systems that provide capability to our customers at pace,"
“We’re working together with our Canadian supplier to deliver speed to capability in record-breaking time."Kisa Christensen
ATLAS has been designed to match the mobility and speed of a range of global in-service vehicles, such as main battle tanks, infantry fighting combat reconnaissance and logistic vehicles, both on-road and off-road and to operate independently of manned vehicles in a range of roles.
In November 2025, TerraSense deployed a small team of engineers to Australia for the inaugural in-field testing, demonstration, and system integration of ATTCS. Over a two-week period, the team worked closely with BAE Systems Australia to validate the system in real-world conditions, pushing both hardware and software well beyond controlled lab environments.
ATTCS can be integrated with a turret system, like VANTAGE, to enable highly automated weapon system operation on an advanced autonomous vehicle offering a range of capabilities including passive target detection, tracking and engagement, passive local situational awareness and passive UAS detection, tracking and engagement.
During the deployment, the TerraSense team used proprietary testing software and interfaces to evaluate ATTCS across a wide range of operational scenarios.
The focus was twofold: identifying performance gaps to inform future development, and validating where the system already excels, particularly in object detection and tracking.
As expected in a first-of-its-kind field deployment, the team encountered challenges early in the testing period.
Automated sensing matured first in air and maritime domains, where the environment is comparatively open, and targets are discrete against uniform backgrounds. Ground environments are fundamentally different.
Terrain produces constant occlusion, clutter is persistent, and objects can stop, hide, or merge with their surroundings.
Initial object tracking performance gaps were addressed through sensor rig recalibration. When the system was introduced to an environment it had not been trained on, false positives increased. These were significantly reduced through rapid algorithmic parameter refinement.
A software bug affecting target thumbnails was identified and patched on site, with real-time support from TerraSense engineers back home in Canada.
In parallel, the team worked closely with BAE Systems personnel to ensure a clear understanding of how the system functions, not just operationally, but conceptually. This training proved critical to unlocking the system’s full potential.
By the end of the two weeks, ATTCS was running smoothly, with noticeable improvements in performance, system reliability, and user confidence.
Cornell P. Pich, Vice President of Business Development at TerraSense Analytics, said the Australian trials demonstrated ATTCS’s ability to adapt to unfamiliar environments and perform under demanding field conditions.
The system was integrated with partner platforms and tested against real operational challenges,"
"The joint team was able to identify issues, refine the system and improve performance in the field,"
"Audience feedback quickly shifted from what ATTCS could do to how it could be expanded for additional operational requirements,"
"People were no longer asking whether the technology worked – they were asking what else it could enable."Cornell P. PichVice President of Business Development, TerraSense Analytics
The trials took place in temperatures reaching 35°C, alongside bushfire warnings, hail and heavy rain, with the sensor rig remaining operational throughout testing.
The results generated during testing provided strong material to support future project phases and continued development.
Findings from the Australian trials are being fed directly into TerraSense’s ongoing system refinement and future capability planning.
About TerraSense
Founded in 2017, TerraSense is a Canadian dual-use defence technology company developing AI that reduces operator workload in complex environments. Its technologies transform large volumes of sensor data into clear, actionable intelligence, supporting faster decision-making across defence, security and commercial applications.