BAE Systems completes ATLAS RCV trials

BAE Systems Australia has completed autonomy trials of its ATLAS CCV robotic combat vehicle. The large armoured vehicle has progressed from concept to functional prototype in sixteen months. But the question is who will jump first to take RCVs into service.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published February 19, 2026.

BLUF:

• BAE Systems Australia has announced the successful completion of autonomy trials for its ATLAS Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV), an 8×8 modular uncrewed ground vehicle designed to operate alongside main battle tanks and combat reconnaissance vehicles.
• The trials covered the full spectrum of autonomy — from teleoperation to full sense-and-avoid — and the vehicle is now a fully functional prototype demonstrator.
• BAE Systems is now engaged in international marketing, with the Australian Army among the company’s likely near-term prospects.

BAE Systems Australia has announced the successful completion of autonomy trials for its Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV).  This milestone is significant for what is pitched as a new class of combat vehicle in the February 18 press release.

The trials covered the full range of autonomous capability — from remote teleoperation and waypoint-based navigation to full sense-and-avoid autonomy, under which the vehicle detects and navigates around obstacles without direct human input.

This is the holy grail for robotic combat vehicles (RCVs). The challenges of autonomous mass on land are similar to those in the air. For an RCV like ATLAS to add to a force, it must do a lot of its jobs autonomously. It otherwise risks taking up a lot of time and energy. 

However, unlike a loyal wingman, autonomous navigation on the ground is very difficult. Sensors can struggle to understand what is in front of them, and come unstuck quickly if the terrain of their preloaded map is destroyed or damaged.

Tech profile: ATLAS CCV

The ATLAS CCV is a modular 8×8 uncrewed ground vehicle, first unveiled at Land Forces in Melbourne in September 2024. It has been developed in collaboration with Supacat (UK and Australia), Valhalla Turrets (Slovenia), and Australian manufacturer, Marand. According to Andrew Gresham, Managing Director for Defence Delivery at BAE Systems Australia: “In just sixteen months, we have gone from launching ATLAS at Land Forces to operating a fully functional prototype demonstrator.” 

The vehicle’s command and control system uses low-probability-of-intercept communications to support integrated operations between crewed and uncrewed platforms — a critical requirement for any system expected to operate in a contested electromagnetic environment. The ATLAS can be transported in a standard 20-foot ISO container or on a flat rack, giving it genuine strategic and operational mobility.

In its primary assault configuration, the ATLAS CCV is equipped with the VANTAGE — a lightweight, medium-calibre turret system developed specifically for uncrewed platforms. The turret integrates BAE Systems’ passive Multi-Spectral Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System (ATTCS). This system handles target detection, tracking, and classification automatically. 

The turret has been built in partnership with Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets. And prior factory acceptance testing in Slovenia demonstrated accuracy against targets at ranges of up to 750 metres. The prototype is fitted with the 25mm M242 Bushmaster, but the architecture is scalable to larger calibres. A human remains in the loop for the engagements, but the autonomy should enable the ATLAS to add mass without consuming as much manpower as a regular vehicle.

Beyond the assault configuration, the ATLAS CCV can be reconfigured for counter-UAV operations or indirect fire support — the latter using a 120mm automated mortar. 

Where does ATLAS fit in the broader UGV landscape?

ATLAS is not alone. The US Army’s Swarmbotics AI contract, announced earlier this month, reflects the same broad thesis — that autonomous ground systems can generate affordable mass and create tactical dilemmas for adversaries at a fraction of the cost of crewed platforms. South Korea’s investment in autonomous heavy vehicles, Italy’s A2CS concept, and the UK’s Project ASGARD all point in the same direction. The question is no longer whether UGVs have a role in land combat. It is which designs will actually work at scale, in complex terrain, under adversarial conditions.

BAE Systems Australia notes that it is currently engaged in significant international marketing and customer engagement activities. The Australian Army is the obvious first customer — the ATLAS prototype was unveiled wearing Australian Army camouflage, and the platform is understood to have been earmarked for evaluation during Exercise Talisman Sabre. But the company’s international ambitions are clear, and a proven prototype with a clean trial record is a credible pitch in a market that is increasingly receptive.#

• IDEX 2025: Milrem unveils Havoc 8×8 RCV – Calibre Defence 
• Hanwha’s plan for MUM-T with heavy autonomous vehicles – Calibre Defence
• How MILREM is Redefining Tactical Autonomy with Next-Gen UGVs

It will be up against others with growing pedigree in the field. Most notably, there is Havoc RCV and Type-X from Milrem. Both are large platforms designed to work alongside vehicles like tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. 

Calibre comment: When will RCVs enter service?

There is a growing body of work around the role of robotic combat vehicles. The drive to use them in the most dangerous tasks is clear. And to some extent, combat in Ukraine suggests that it can be almost irresponsible to send soldiers on reconnaissance missions. The US Army and Marines have also made some real progress in fielding autonomous missile launchers. However, many forces do not have the budget for a fleet of RCVs. Many are focused on simply establishing a credible conventional land warfare capability. This is certainly a prerequisite to building a fleet of RCVs.

• Robotic Combat Vehicles: Roles to really change battle outcomes – Calibre Defence
• Oshkosh receives $29.9 mn contract for ROGUE autonomy – Calibre Defence  

So, whether any of this will ever translate into a procurement is unclear. Domestically, Australia’s land force modernisation is already under pressure — LAND 400 Phase 3 has consumed enormous political and financial bandwidth, and the appetite for additional major programmes is limited. ATLAS will need to demonstrate not just that it works, but that it fits within a credible operational concept and can be sustained in the field without an army of technicians. Ukraine’s experience with autonomous systems suggests that simplicity and repairability matter as much as capability. It will be worth watching whether BAE Systems Australia’s pitch to international markets generates traction before the home customer commits.

The lead image shows the ATLAS in Australian Army colours. Credit: BAE Systems.