Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market –Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Primary Flight Display, Navigation Display, Heads-up, Helmet-mounted Display), By End-User (Commercial, Defense, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 0.41 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.64%
Fastest Growing Segment	Helmet-mounted Display
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 0.57 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market will grow from USD 0.41 Billion in 2025 to USD 0.57 Billion by 2031 at a 5.64% CAGR. Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) are avionics technologies that utilize 3D terrain databases to render a virtual, daylight-equivalent view of the external environment on cockpit displays, functioning independently of actual weather conditions. The primary driver supporting this market is the critical need for enhanced situational awareness to mitigate Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) incidents, alongside the increasing standardization of glass cockpits in modern fleets. Furthermore, the expansion of the business aviation sector bolsters demand, as operators prioritize capabilities that facilitate safe operations in low-visibility environments and challenging topography.

Conversely, the substantial expense associated with system certification and retrofit integration constitutes a significant challenge that may impede market expansion, particularly for smaller fleet operators. Despite this hurdle, the rising volume of aircraft manufacturing indicates a sustained adoption channel for these technologies. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, in 2025, business jet shipments reached 764 units for the 2024 fiscal year, representing a 4.7% increase over the prior period. This uptick in platform deliveries highlights the expanding install base for synthetic vision applications in the premium aviation segment.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating demand for enhanced situational awareness and the critical need for Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) prevention serve as the primary catalyst for market growth. As aviation environments become increasingly complex, operators are prioritizing technologies that provide clear, daylight-equivalent visuals of terrain and obstacles regardless of weather conditions. Synthetic vision systems address this by rendering 3D topological data directly onto primary flight displays, significantly reducing the cognitive workload for pilots during low-visibility operations. This focus on safety is substantiated by industry performance metrics; according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), February 2024, in the '2023 Annual Safety Report', the global all-accident rate improved to 0.80 per million sectors in 2023, underscoring the industry's successful reliance on advanced safety technologies like synthetic vision to maintain operational safety.

Simultaneously, the rapid expansion of global commercial and military aircraft fleets is significantly accelerating system adoption. Airlines and defense operators are aggressively modernizing their assets to meet rising travel demand and operational readiness standards, necessitating the installation of next-generation glass cockpits equipped with synthetic vision as standard or optional configurations. This surge in procurement is evident in recent manufacturing outputs. According to Airbus, October 2024, in the 'Nine-Month 2024 Results', the company delivered 497 commercial aircraft during the first nine months of 2024, reflecting the robust production rates that drive OEM installation of these systems. Furthermore, this fleet growth is a direct response to recovering travel volumes; according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2024, total global passenger demand increased by 8.6% in August compared to the previous year. These figures highlight a sustained trajectory of airframe deliveries that ensures a continuous integration channel for synthetic vision technologies.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial expense associated with system certification and retrofit integration constitutes a significant financial barrier that directly impedes the growth of the Global Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market. This economic challenge is particularly acute for smaller fleet operators who must absorb the high costs of Supplemental Type Certificates and the labor-intensive process of integrating modern synthetic vision displays into legacy cockpits. The strict regulatory requirements enforced by aviation authorities necessitate rigorous testing and validation for every new airframe configuration, which drives up the unit cost of these avionics solutions. Consequently, many operators of older aircraft defer these safety-enhancing upgrades, viewing the capital expenditure as disproportionate to the residual value of the airframe.

This cost-prohibitive environment creates a market dynamic where adoption is significantly skewed towards new aircraft deliveries rather than aftermarket upgrades. This disparity is evident in recent industry sales figures which reflect the hesitation of existing owners to invest in costly retrofits. According to the Aircraft Electronics Association, in the first quarter of 2024, the retrofit market for business and general aviation avionics recorded sales of approximately $393 million, which remained notably lower than the forward-fit sales volume of over $526 million during the same period. This statistical gap underscores how the financial burden of retrofitting limits the addressable market for synthetic vision systems, preventing the technology from reaching its full potential within the vast fleet of active legacy aircraft.

Key Market Trends

The convergence of synthetic vision with enhanced vision systems (EVS) to create Combined Vision Systems represents a primary technical evolution in cockpit avionics. This trend merges database-derived terrain rendering with real-time sensor imagery on Head-Up Displays for seamless flight phase transitions. Manufacturers in business aviation are standardizing these capabilities to ensure operational continuity and improve safety margins during landing approaches. Highlighting the adoption of platforms utilizing these suites, according to Bombardier, April 2024, in the 'First Quarter 2024 Financial Results', the company reported revenues of $1.3 billion, driven by the delivery of 20 business jets featuring the Vision Flight Deck equipped with synthetic visualization tools.

Simultaneously, the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector creates a novel application domain for synthetic vision. Unlike traditional flight, eVTOL platforms operate in dense urban canyons where obstacle detection is paramount, necessitating SVS for precise navigation relative to building databases. Integrating SVS is critical for certification and pilot awareness in complex environments where GPS signals may be occluded. The scale of this segment is substantial; according to Archer Aviation, February 2024, in the 'Q4 2023 Shareholder Letter', the company reported an indicative order book valued at up to $3.5 billion, reflecting demand for aircraft relying on these systems for safe urban operations.

Segmental Insights

The Helmet-mounted Display segment is exhibiting the most rapid expansion within the Global Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market, driven by the critical need for continuous situational awareness in military and rotary-wing operations. These systems project synthetic terrain and flight data directly into the pilot's line of sight, allowing for uninterrupted monitoring during head movements. This functionality significantly mitigates risks during low-visibility maneuvers. Furthermore, safety initiatives from entities like the Federal Aviation Administration regarding enhanced vision technologies support the integration of these displays, as they reduce workload and improve reaction times in complex operational environments.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the Global Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market due to the significant concentration of major avionics manufacturers and extensive adoption across general and business aviation. The region benefits from proactive initiatives by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to integrate flight deck technologies that improve pilot situational awareness and operational safety. Additionally, continuous fleet modernization efforts by the United States defense sector and commercial airlines further sustain demand. This robust industrial ecosystem and favorable regulatory framework firmly establish North America as the primary region for synthetic vision solutions.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, a helicopter manufacturer introduced a proprietary Synthetic Vision System (SVS) designed specifically for its next-generation digital cockpit interface. The newly unveiled system replaces the traditional artificial horizon with a dynamic, three-dimensional rendering of the surrounding terrain, which is color-coded to indicate altitude relative to the aircraft's position. This technological development utilizes extensive topographical data to generate real-time views on the primary flight display, aiming to dramatically improve pilot situational awareness during flights in poor visibility or through challenging terrain. Future updates are expected to incorporate precise obstacle data, including towers and power lines, to further enhance flight safety.
• In December 2024, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation launched a wide-ranging avionics modernization initiative for Beechcraft King Air and Hawker aircraft owners. The program focuses on upgrading legacy cockpits to the Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system, which incorporates high-resolution synthetic vision as a core capability. By equipping these aircraft with intuitive touchscreen displays and advanced synthetic vision tools, the company aims to enhance pilot control, streamline flight planning, and improve operational efficiency within complex global airspaces. The upgrade provides pilots with a clearer visualization of the external environment, thereby increasing safety margins and operational readiness for business aviation operators.
• In October 2024, a leading manufacturer of commercial avionics systems secured supplemental type certification for its ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) on the King Air B200 and B300 aircraft series. This advanced system integrates wearable head-up displays with combined enhanced and synthetic vision capabilities, allowing pilots to navigate low-visibility conditions with greater confidence. The certification enables operators of these turboprop aircraft to utilize synthetic 3D terrain overlays and real-time multispectral sensor imagery to improve situational awareness during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. The solution also mitigates visibility challenges posed by the industry's transition to LED airport lighting.
• In March 2024, a major provider of aviation technology announced a comprehensive avionics modernization program for the Cessna Citation CJ2 light jet. The upgrade involves the installation of the G600 TXi flight displays, which feature advanced Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) to present a detailed 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles, and airport environments. This system is designed to provide pilots with a wide horizon view and optimal situational awareness, particularly during operations in instrument flight rules (IFR) or nighttime conditions. The modernization aims to replace legacy flight deck systems with digital solutions that significantly enhance safety and reduce pilot workload for operators.

Key Market Players

• Garmin Ltd
• Cobham Limited
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Thales SA
• RTX Corporation
• Safran SA
• Aspen Avionics Inc
• Avidyne Corporation
• Elbit Systems Ltd
• L3Harris Technologies Inc

By Type	By End-User	By Region
Primary Flight Display Navigation Display Heads-up Helmet-mounted Display	Commercial Defense Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market, By Type:

• Primary Flight Display
• Navigation Display
• Heads-up
• Helmet-mounted Display

• Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market, By End-User:

• Commercial
• Defense
• Others

• Aircraft Synthetic Vision Systems Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE