Air Force Tests New Flight Suit

A six-month wear test for the next generation flight suit and proposed T-shirt undergarment is being conducted by specialists in the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron aircrew life support division at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

The T-shirt, which is being tested in two versions made from wool or meta-aramid fibers (the same flame retardant material used in the flight suit), is a new item which could replace the non-standardized cotton shirts worn by aircrews now. The flight suit being tested is identical in construction to the one worn now. Although wear testers can provide input on future design changes, the evaluation focuses on changing the flight suit's material.