How do fighter pilots spell relief: AMXD


Solving an old problem.


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Where do fighter pilots traveling faster than the speed of sound go when they really need to “go”?

Pilots have struggled for years with the lack of toilet facilities in flight. Until recently, the answer has been: into a bag.

But it’s not a great solution. “Piddle packs” — heavy-duty bags containing absorbent sponges — have been blamed for at least two crashes over the years, and they’re not always tidy…

“The DoD put out a list of projects they needed solutions for,” said Mark Harvie, president of Omni Medical Solutions. “Bladder relief for pilots was one of the items on the list and we were looking for a new project,” he said.

That project turned into the Advanced Mission Extender Device, known in military jargon as the AMXD.

Of course, it could have been another no-bid project handled through Cheney’s office. Probably would have cost taxpayers $300 million to develop instead of $3 million spent for R&D - by Omni.

Posted: Sun - May 18, 2008 at 07:11 AM          

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