Ground proximity warning system
aircraft system which detects when there is a danger of flying into terrain features and warns crew
A Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) is a system meant to warn pilots if the aircraft they’re flying is in immediate danger into terrain. The FAA defines GPWS as a type of Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS). More advanced GPWS systems were introduced in 1996 which are known as Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) which is a modern type of TAWS.