От фляги до памперса: как пилоты истребителей Су-57 и МиГ-31 решают «дела насущные»

Military fighter pilots are often spoken of as having "nerves of steel, muscles of steel, and no weaknesses." But the truth is that even those who fly the Su-35 at speeds of nearly 2000 km/h have one earthly problem: how to go to the bathroom?

And while it seems that over the decades, aircraft construction has thought of everything—from artificial intelligence to stealth technologies—the issue of physiology has remained roughly the same as it was in the days of the MiG-15.

Why This Is a Problem

The cockpit of a fighter jet has less space than the trunk of a "Zhiguli." There's no room to stand up straight, let alone go "number one." Remember the altitude, immense pressure, and oxygen mask, and it becomes clear—there's no "WC" button near the instrument panel.

Flights on the Su-27, Su-30SM, Su-35, MiG-31, MiG-29, and now on the latest Su-57, can last from 2 to 5 hours. And if it's combat duty, a long-range intercept, or aerial refueling, it can be even longer. And that's when the body starts to remind you that it's not a titan.

From Flask to Diaper: The Evolution of Folk Ingenuity

Back in the Soviet years, pilots took the tried and tested route—they endured. But in extreme cases, they resorted to improvised means—flasks or bags.

Modern pilots use special urinal bags—sealed bags with an absorbent gel. It turns the liquid into a gel, preventing it from spilling even under G-forces.

However, even this is not a panacea. A pilot on a Su-34, for example, spends up to six hours in the air. Yes, there is a little more space, but there is still nowhere to maneuver—only maximum self-control and dexterity.

Su-57: Stealth Mode, Artificial Intelligence, and… the Same Old Bag

Russia's most modern fighter, the Su-57, can do almost everything—perform aerobatics, remain invisible to radar, and conduct combat on autopilot. But there are still no "bio-amenities" there.

The designers explain it simply: the cockpit is designed for combat missions, not domestic comfort. Every gram of the structure counts. Therefore, the issue is resolved traditionally—"special physiological support systems" and individual packages.

In essence, it's an advanced version of a disposable diaper, only designed for extreme conditions—pressure, vibration, and G-forces.

Earlier, www1.ru reported that Russian attack aircraft used "drone guns" against drones for the first time.

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