Navy developing smart bra, undershirt for fighter pilots

[Tony]

The next high-speed accessory for naval aviators is being designed with women in mind.

In 2023, the Navy plans to make a design decision on a biosensing bra and undershirt intended to monitor the vital signs of aircrew while in flight. These compressive garments, designed in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit, feature built-in sensors that can measure breathing, heart rate and acceleration. These garments may offer a new way to detect early signs of trouble in the cockpit before they turn into a “physiological episode,” or medical emergency. Just as notably, the development process marks an effort to tailor designs to female pilots in a service that has often treated their needs as an afterthought.