BAE Systems test-fires automatic turret for ATLAS CCV

The Vantage ATS fitted on the ATLAS CCV features 260 rounds of ready-use ammunition. (BAE Systems )

BAE Systems Australia has test-fired the Vantage automatic turret system (ATS), which the company jointly developed with Slovenian defence manufacturer Valhalla Turrets for its 8×8 Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV) vehicle.

BAE Systems said on 5 June that the Vantage ATS can engage with targets at a range of 750 m. It added that the turret will return to Australia from Slovenia, where the tests were undertaken, to be integrated with ATLAS, which will enable “further vehicle dynamic testing and subsystem integration”. No details about the additional testing or the integrated subsystems were provided.

Kisa Christensen, director of Integrated Defence and Autonomy Systems at BAE Systems Australia, said, “We've seen the performance of Vantage successfully verified during the conduct of the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) period.” According to BAE Systems, the Vantage ATS completed its FAT in May 2025.

Christensen said the vehicle offers a lower acquisition cost through “the adaptive reuse of legacy cannons already in service”. This refers to the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun fitted to the Vantage ATS. The M242 is also operated by the General Dynamics Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV).

BAE Systems said the turret features “scalable architecture” enabling ATLAS to operate larger calibre armaments such as 120 mm automated mortar systems.

According to BAE Systems, the turret features the company's passive Multi-Spectral Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System (ATTCS) to enable multiple engagements and reduced probability of detection.

BAE Systems unveiled an ATLAS prototype in September 2024 at the Land Forces exposition in Melbourne, Australia.