Field-Tested Down Under: TerraSense Deploys ATTCS in Australia

Live integration and field testing demonstrated ATTCS performance across challenging operational environments.

TerraSense engineers conducting live field testing and system integration during ATTCS trials in Australia.

Field-Tested Down Under: TerraSense Deploys ATTCS in Australia

In November 2025, TerraSense deployed a small team of engineers to Australia for the inaugural in-field testing, demonstration, and system integration of the Automatic Target Detection, Tracking and Classification System (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.

This marked the first live integration of TerraSense’s sensor suite onto the VANTAGE Automated Turret System and the Atlas vehicle platform, culminating in a successful in-house demonstration for BAE Systems Australia. The visit represented a major milestone for the program, with only TerraSense and BAE Systems Australia involved throughout the testing phase.

Stress-Testing in Real Conditions

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. 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 parallel, the team worked closely with BAE 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.

Results That Open the Door Forward

The final in-house demonstration clearly showcased the value of the system. Feedback from the demo audience was highly positive, with most discussions focused not on what the system could do at the time, but on what it could be expanded to do next. The results generated during testing provided strong material to support future project phases and continued development.

Field Conditions That Put the System to the Test

Beyond the technical challenges, the Australian environment delivered no shortage of real-world stressors. The team operated in extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 35°C on demo day, alongside bushfire warnings, hail, and heavy rain. Despite these conditions, the sensor rig remained operational throughout testing.

There were also a few uniquely Australian moments along the way, including a face-off between a kangaroo and a rental car on a dirt road en route to the trial site, and the constant presence of swarming flies during outdoor testing.

Built for the Field

This deployment reinforced a core principle behind TerraSense’s technology: systems must perform where it matters most, in unpredictable, demanding environments. The Australia trials marked a significant step forward for ATTCS, validating not only its technical capabilities but also the strength of collaboration between TerraSense and BAE Systems Australia.

Findings from the Australia trials are being fed directly into ongoing system refinement and future capability planning.

The TerraSense team and partners taking a moment to regroup after a full day of testing during the Australia deployment.