Overview
ATLAS CCV has been designed and built leveraging BAE Systems’ world-leading expertise in autonomous technology, armoured vehicles and in collaboration with industry partners.
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.
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.
BAE Systems is continuously exploring innovative technology that provides armed forces with a tactical advantage in an ever-changing battlespace. The autonomy system at the core of the ATLAS CCV will ‘drive’ the vehicle, avoid obstacles, route plan, and make tactical decisions.
Technology
The brains within ATLAS CCV are provided by our proven autonomous uncrewed systems architecture, which has powered other uncrewed aircraft and vehicle systems and autonomous missile defence technology.
The system is capable of uncrewed dynamic vehicle behaviours such as accepting real-time control from a user (akin to remote control), autonomous geometric path following (a string of waypoints defining a path the vehicle follows) and path generation to avoid obstacles and navigate complex environments such as bushland.
An advanced sensor suite integrated with the autonomy system enables vehicle self and situational awareness. The ATLAS CCV can identify, classify and understand the complex real-world environment in real-time and formulate appropriate responses to execute its mission.
Effective and secure communication between users and other assets — be it crewed or uncrewed — is a core aspect of the autonomy system. This allows teaming and formations based on common mission datasets and allows effects to be combined and multiplied.
What's it good for?
The ATLAS CCV can perform a wide range of combat and combat support roles that can supplement a traditional main force effort where increased lethality, coverage and battlefield flexibility are required.
It can also undertake missions in a stand-alone capacity where the presence of an uncrewed platform is preferred over crewed vehicles.
The combination of a proven high-mobility, high-agility chassis and running gear, low-profile 25mm gun VANTAGE Automated Turret System (ATS) and leading-edge autonomy, navigation and command and control systems enables the ATLAS CCV to accompany other combat vehicles on the battlefield and contribute meaningfully to mission success in whichever role it is tasked to fulfil, all using the same base vehicle.
ATLAS CCV is easily transportable, designed to fit into a standard 20-foot ISO container or 20-foot ISO flat rack. Its size and mass also enables multiple vehicles to be easily transported and deployed by fixed-wing transport aircraft and landing craft.
Reconnaissance and surveillance
Advanced sensors are fitted as standard, and comprise a multi-spectral automatic target detection, tracking and classification system.
ATLAS CCV can act as the eyes and ears of a main force — either by being sent forward to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance, or as a leave-in-place ‘sentry’ that can detect and track threats and hand these off to other combat assets.
Operating in reconnaissance/surveillance mode, ATLAS is also able to undertake overwatch and electronic surveillance duties.
Combat wingman
Of compact size and with significant organic firepower, the ATLAS CCV is an ideal companion for crewed combat vehicles.
High mobility enables the ATLAS CCV to maintain contact with both tracked and wheeled crewed combat vehicles across difficult terrain and in all weather and environmental conditions.
In its role as ‘combat wingman’ for a crewed vehicle/manoeuvre force, the ATLAS CCV can undertake flank security, target identification and engagement, combat reconnaissance and direct fire.
Assault
ATLAS CCV is armed with a new, lightweight, affordable, highly automated medium calibre turret system called ‘VANTAGE’, designed for use on uncrewed platforms. Importantly, the turret is designed with a ‘human in-the-loop’ targeting system.
The M242 Bushmaster 25mm cannon integrated with the VANTAGE ATS provides accurate and highly lethal fire to a range of 2,500m.
With a dual ammunition feed system, the 25mm gun arming the VANTAGE ATS is the most combat-proven medium-calibre weapon in the Western world. It can successfully destroy all vehicle targets up to and including infantry fighting vehicles. A ready-use ammunition capacity of 260 rounds allows for multiple engagements and high battlefield persistence.
In addition to the fully stabilised 25mm gun, ATLAS CCV‘s 10-tonne combat weight and rugged suspension system provides a stable firing platform for the consistent delivery of accurate fire.
Due to its modular design, the ATLAS CCV can fulfill a wide range specific combat roles, including counter-UAV and indirect fire support using a 120mm automated mortar system.
BAE Systems and autonomous systems
We are continuously exploring how we can support the challenges customers face in both the near term and future battlespace. Alongside core defence programs, we are developing a range of autonomous systems and future concepts.
As well as working with Innovaero on STRIX in Australia, we are also working with SMEs such as Malloy on the T-650 eVTOL heavy lift vehicle in the UK, which will enable customers to carry out a number of different roles including air surveillance / ISTAR, anti-submarine warfare and air to ground strike to provide greater protection for forces on the ground.