A synthetic vision system (SVS) is a computer-mediated reality system for aerial vehicles, which uses 3D visualization to provide pilots with a clear and intuitive means to aid in understanding their flight environment.

Synthetic vision is also a generic term, referring to computer vision systems that use artificial intelligence methods for learning based on visual environments.

Synthetic vision provides situational awareness to operators using databases of terrain, obstacles, geo-political and hydrological information, among others. A typical SVS application is to use the set of databases stored on board the aircraft, an image generating computer, and a display. Navigation aspects are obtained through the use of GPS and inertial reference systems.

Highway In The Sky (HITS) systems, or Path-In-The-Sky, are often used to describe the projected path of the aircraft in perspective view. Pilots acquire instant feedback of the current and future state of the aircraft with respect to terrain, towers, buildings and other environmental features.