The US Air Force is getting new technology that will make it easier for its fighter pilots, especially female pilots, to urinate in flight, potentially alleviating a longstanding problem for pilots needing to answer nature's call in a cramped cockpit.
The Air Force will be receiving the Omni Gen. 3 Skydrate in-flight bladder-relief device in the near future, Air Combat Command announced in a press statement Wednesday.
"The Air Force recognized that current devices were not optimized for long-duration sorties, and as a result, aircrew were routinely dehydrating themselves to delay the need for bladder relief," ACC explained.
This was a big problem for pilots, particularly female pilots, who the Air Force said previously would "resort to 'tactical dehydration' to avoid the difficulties and potential dangers of having to relieve themselves inflight."
The first shipments of the new Skydrate system will arrive early this month, and aircrews will have access to them by spring of next year.
Persons:
Sharon Rogers, Nikki Yogi
Organizations:
US Air Force, Air Force, Omni, Air Combat Command, Business, Sky High, ACC, 46th, Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base
Locations:
Turkey, Florida