ETACS End-User Testing in Hungary

The NATO Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of Excellence (EOD COE) conducted another end-user testing event in Hungary on 14–15 September 2026 as part of the ongoing development of the EOD/IED VR Training and XR Combat Support Kit (ETACS). The two-day event was hosted by the Hungarian Defence Forces 1st EOD and Warship Regiment (HDF 1st EODWR). Representatives of the EOD COE, including Colonel Zsolt Szilágyi, Chief of Staff, and Warrant Officer Zoltan Ferko from the Technology Department and Deputy Project Manager of the ETACS project, took part in the event.

The main objective of the visit was to present the latest developments of the ETACS system and provide operational personnel with the opportunity to test the software in a practical environment. EOD personnel from the Regiment actively participated in the testing and shared their experience, observations and suggestions regarding the current capabilities and possible future developments of the system.

As part of the visit, Colonel Zsolt Szilágyi, Chief of Staff of the EOD COE, delivered a detailed presentation outlining the Centre’s comprehensive training plan and its main events scheduled for 2026–2027.

Particular attention was given to the upcoming ETACS Workshop, scheduled for 3–4 December 2026, as well as the NATO Demonstrations and Trials, scheduled for 6–7 October 2027. The presentation provided an opportunity to inform the Hungarian personnel about the Centre’s upcoming activities and to discuss possible areas of future cooperation.

Particular attention was given to collecting feedback from personnel with practical EOD experience. The participants tested different elements of the system and identified several areas where further development could increase its training value and usability.

Among the suggestions, without aiming to provide an exhaustive list, were:

• Mini-games designed to develop EOD knowledge and skills.
• More realistic representation of bomb and rocket impact sites.
• The option to use a metal detector for UXO detection.

The participants also provided additional ideas related to the realism, usability and training value of the virtual environment. Such feedback is essential for ensuring that the development of ETACS continues to reflect the requirements of its intended end users.

In addition to the practical testing, the visit provided an opportunity to discuss future activities and cooperation between the NATO EOD COE and the HDF 1st EODWR.

The direct involvement of operational EOD personnel provided valuable insight into how the system can be further improved and adapted to realistic training requirements. The feedback collected during the event will support the development team in refining existing features and identifying new development opportunities.

Both the NATO EOD COE and the HDF 1st EODWR considered the testing highly productive. The event once again demonstrated the importance of close cooperation between developers and end users in the development of effective and realistic EOD training solutions.

Photo, Text: OR-8 Zoltan Ferko (UN-A)