Alpha Industries

Alpha Industries makes flight jackets and military outerwear for pilots and aviation fans. The company began with U.S. Department of Defense work, then expanded to consumers. Today it has global reach. Prices on its site run from about US$135 to US$300.

Pilot and flight jackets

Alpha has manufactured bomber jackets for over 60 years. The men’s bomber collection features MA-1, B-15, B-3, L-2B, and U.S. Air Force issue CWU 36/P and 45/P silhouettes. Every bomber jacket reflects details of historic flight jackets. All bomber jackets are water-resistant. The L-2B is designed for temperatures between 42 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Alpha’s Heritage outerwear includes classic bomber jackets and military field jackets, and the collection upholds the authenticity of classic military uniforms.

• MA-1 Bomber Jacket
• CWU 45/P Bomber Jacket (Heritage)
• L-2B Skymaster Gen II Bomber Jacket
• B-3 Sherpa Leather Jacket
• N-3B Parka (Heritage)

History with the U.S. military

Alpha won its first Department of Defense contracts to make Air Force N-3B parkas and Navy shipboard shirts. It received its first contracts for the MA-1 jacket and N-2B parka in 1963, and its first contracts for the U.S. Army M-65 field coat in 1965. Alpha began manufacturing jackets for the commercial market in 1970 and introduced the 3-Bar Logo to help differentiate consumer and DOD products. The Flying A logo also references Alpha’s military heritage and three-bar labels.

In 1976, Alpha was awarded its first contract for the Navy’s Extreme Cold Weather Impermeable Jacket. The DoD awarded a contract to produce the CWU-36/P Nomex flight jacket in 1980. The CWU-36/P Nomex jacket replaced nylon flight jackets like the MA-1. Alpha received its first ECWCS parka contracts in 1986 for a new layered clothing system. Alan Cirker later took over leadership and expanded Alpha’s commercial business.

Alpha launched its first website to educate consumers on products and history. For a time, customers could order select jacket styles directly from Alpha’s Knoxville factory via email. The company commemorated its 50th Anniversary with a special flight jacket and a history book, and marked the M-65 Field Coat’s 50th anniversary with limited-edition products. In 2019, Alpha celebrated 60 years of American military heritage and global reach.

Fits, materials, and collections

Alpha’s Core Fit follows true military specifications and authentic silhouettes. The men’s bomber range comes in four different fits. Recent collections include reworked military classics. Alpha has also released collaborations such as NBC100 x Alpha Industries, Alpha x Realtree, Alpha x New Era x NFL, and projects with Junya Watanabe, Undercover, Old Forester, APEE, BRAIN CHILD, and JIYONG KIM.

Pilots and aviation fans like Alpha for its clear link to flight gear, its long record making bomber jackets, and its attention to authentic details. The range covers light, standard, and cold-weather needs, with designs grounded in real U.S. military garments.