Autonomous Battlefield UGVs Demonstrated to Australian Army

By Mike Ball / 06 Nov 2019

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

BAE Systems autonomous UGVs

BAE Systems has announced that, in conjunction with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), it has demonstrated fully autonomous armoured vehicles to the Australian Army in a battlefield simulation at the Majura Training Site.

The two unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) were based on the M113 tracked armoured personnel carrier. The vehicles were modified during a six-month project with hardware and software that enabled autonomous operation and were designed to comply with the rules of engagement, which always require a human operator in the decision-making loop.

The autonomous technologies used to upgrade the M113 vehicles could reduce the need for manpower on the battlefield, enabling unmanned operations such as intelligence gathering and logistics support. These technologies have previously been used in Australian and UK autonomy programs such as Taranis, Mantis, and Kingfisher UAS (unmanned aerial system) demonstrators, as well as the multi-all terrain vehicle (MATV) and Digger unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) demonstrators.

The vehicles will now be used by the Army to experiment with battlefield autonomy as part of its recently released Robotics and Autonomous Systems Strategy. They will also be used to test technology developed by the Commonwealth’s recently announced Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre (TAS-DCRC), which has been set up under the Next Generation Technologies Fund to deliver state-of-the-art autonomous systems that ensure trusted, reliable and effective cooperation between people and machines during military operations.

Gabby Costigan, BAE Systems Australia CEO, commented: “This project highlights our commitment to leading the development of new technologies and collaborating across industry and academia to advance autonomous capabilities. BAE Systems Australia’s autonomous systems capability leverages more than three decades of collaboration between BAE Systems Australia and the Commonwealth Government through Programs such as Nulka and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). Autonomous technologies will support soldier responsiveness in an accelerating warfare environment – increasing their ability to outpace, out-manoeuvre and out-think conventional and unconventional threats.”

Find manufacturers of Unmanned Ground Vehicles UGVs >>

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

UK MOD Validates PDW C100 for Aerial Target Designation

Performance Drone Works (PDW) demonstrated the capabilities of its C100 quadcopter for the UK MOD, successfully designating targets with precision and completing extended-range missions during a live-fire event in Texas

Jul 09, 2025
SatLab Showcases Geospatial Technologies at CSPI-EXPO 2025

SatLab attended CSPI-EXPO 2025 in Chiba, Japan from 18-21 June, showcasing its latest innovations across the full spectrum of geospatial solutions

Jul 09, 2025
DeltaQuad Collaboration to Boost VTOL Surveillance Drone Production

DeltaQuad has partnered with VDL Groep to expand production of its Evo surveillance drone, enhancing manufacturing capabilities to meet rising defence sector demand

Jul 09, 2025
FarSounder Argos Powers Autonomous Navigation on Unmanned Surface Vessel

FarSounder’s Argos sonar technology has been integrated into DARPA’s NOMARS vessel, advancing autonomous navigation and situational awareness in unmanned maritime operations

Jul 09, 2025
Impact of Jamming & Spoofing on GNSS Positioning

Tersus GNSS explains how jamming and spoofing interfere with GNSS signals, outlines their distinct impacts, and presents technical strategies for detection and mitigation

Jul 09, 2025
ESA Feasibility Study to Advance Autonomous Drone Landing Without GPS

Agilica completes an ESA-backed study advancing precision drone landing tech that works without GPS, targeting urban, maritime, and complex autonomous UAV operations

Jul 09, 2025

Featured Content

New UAV to Combine Solar Hydrogen & Battery Power for Extended Flight

XSun and H3 Dynamics are developing the first UAV powered by solar, hydrogen, and batteries, aiming to deliver zero-emission, long-endurance unmanned flight

Jul 07, 2025
Enhancing Mangrove Restoration Through 3D Printed Drone Design

Explore how Inverto Earth, in collaboration with HP Additive, is using sustainable 3D printing and drone technology to drive large-scale mangrove restoration and protect vulnerable coastal ecosystems

Jul 03, 2025
Partnership Combines Drone Swarms & Situational Awareness to Boost Wildfire Response

Kongsberg Geospatial and FireSwarm Solutions have partnered to integrate autonomous drone swarms with real-time situational awareness for faster, smarter wildfire response

Jun 30, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.