What is typically worn underneath a fighter pilot's flight suit?

Fighter pilots typically wear a one-piece CWU 27/P Nomex flight suit as the main layer under their flight suits. This flight suit is made of Nomex, a fire-resistant synthetic material developed by DuPont. Nomex can withstand high temperatures and offers protection against fire and electrical discharges.

Underneath the flight suit, pilots usually wear cotton undergarments. Cotton is chosen because it does not melt or fuse to the skin in the event of a cockpit fire, unlike materials such as nylon or polyester.

The CWU 27/P Nomex flight suit is designed to provide protection and comfort to pilots during their missions. It is made to withstand intense heat and has fibers that thicken and carbonize when exposed to heat, helping to absorb and dissipate heat energy.

The standard color for the CWU 27/P flight suit is sage green, but pilots serving in the Persian Gulf region or in stateside aggressor units may wear desert tan flight suits.

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