The Head-up Guidance System Enhanced Vision feature improves pilot visibility by using an infrared camera (installed in an aerodynamic fairing below the windshield) or radar system to see through clouds and darkness. The video from the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) camera is fed into the HGS Computer where the video image is combined with symbology and then sent to the overhead unit for display on the combiner. Built-in HGS safety features include new annunciators to warn the pilot if the EVS is not working properly.

The primary benefit of the EVS is the improved situational awareness the pilot gets in degraded visibility conditions - and at night. This helps the pilot avoid terrain and clearly identify the runway - and any runway obstructions - earlier in the approach.

An important regulation change (91.175) now allows the use of EVS to identify the runway environment during the approach. To fully take advantage of the EVS rules set forth by the FAA, the EVS video must be displayed on a Head-up Display so that it appears conformally - this stipulation ensures that the EVS image is closely aligned to the pilot's view of the outside world as seen through their eyes.