Zero-G HMDS+ Hits Critical Milestone for U.S. Navy

In the high-stakes environment of naval aviation, where split-second decisions are the difference between mission success and catastrophe, the interface between pilot and machine is undergoing a radical transformation. On 12 December 2025, Collins Elbit Vision Systems (CEVS) announced a pivotal leap forward: the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Zero-G Helmet Mounted Display System+ (HMDS+).

This milestone represents a significant turning point for the Improved Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (IJHMCS) program. The Zero-G HMDS+, created specifically for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets, is set to transform how naval aviators engage with their battlespace.

The Zero-G HMDS+ represents more than just a minor enhancement; it is a sixth-generation system designed to manage the data-rich environments of contemporary aerial combat. With the advancement of aircraft sensors, the main challenge has evolved from data collection to displaying it in a manner that the human brain can immediately comprehend. The system provides a fully immersive, high-definition view, allowing aircrew to "see through" the airframe using fused sensor data. By serving as a primary flight instrument, the helmet ensures that critical mission data, sensor video and weapon system information are always in the pilot’s line of sight.

"Zero-G is providing sensor fusion at the edge," noted Luke Savoie, Elbit America’s President and CEO. "As fighter aircraft level up, the HMDs of those systems need to as well. Zero-G provides unmatched head-up, sixth-generation battle management capabilities."

Beyond the digital wizardry, the Zero-G HMDS+ addresses a long-standing physical toll on fighter pilots: the weight of technology. Legacy helmet systems, while capable, often added significant bulk, leading to chronic neck and back strain during high-G manoeuvres. The "Zero-G" moniker highlights the system’s optimised weight distribution and lightweight construction. For the U.S. Navy, this physical refinement is as much a priority as the software.

Captain Joseph Kamara, program manager for Naval Aircrew Systems (PMA-202), emphasised that aircrew health is the Navy's top priority. "The Zero-G being integrated through our IJHMCS program promises to relieve aircrew of neck and back strain and greatly improve ejection safety," Kamara stated. "We are excited to be at the leading edge of safety and technology."

By improving the centre of gravity and reducing the overall mass, CEVS has created a system that enhances a pilot’s endurance during long missions and reduces the risk of injury during the violent forces of an emergency ejection. The successful CDR confirms that the system’s design is mature, stable and ready for the next gruelling phase: airworthiness testing. This will involve rigorous flight trials and full integration with the complex avionics suites of the Super Hornet and Growler.

The Zero-G HMDS+ will be deployed beyond the United States, with plans to equip the entire operational fleets of both the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Over 750 aircraft are scheduled to receive this upgrade, positioning the Zero-G HMDS+ as the standard for Western naval power projection. The timeline for this digital transformation is ambitious, with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) anticipated by 2027. The Navy is acting swiftly to ensure its fourth-generation-plus platforms remain effective and relevant amidst an era increasingly characterised by peer-tier threats.

As the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G remain the primary aircraft of the carrier air wing, the incorporation of the Zero-G HMDS+ provides pilots with every conceivable advantage. By combining sixth-generation technology with an emphasis on human ergonomics, CEVS offers pilots not just a new tool but a new perspective on combat.