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What pen does the military use?

The pen used by the United States military is not just an ordinary pen. It is specially designed and manufactured to meet the demands of military personnel who require durable, reliable writing instruments for use in combat zones and other extreme environments. The most well-known pen used across all branches of the U.S. armed forces is the Fisher Space Pen.

Why does the military need a special pen?

The military requires pens that can write consistently and reliably in situations where normal pens would fail. Standard ballpoint pens rely on gravity to pull ink down to the writing tip. However, in zero gravity or extreme environments, ink becomes unreliable. Pens used by soldiers, pilots, sailors and marines need to operate in diverse conditions such as:

  • High and low temperatures – from -50 to +125 degrees Fahrenheit
  • High and low air pressures – at altitudes up to the limits of the stratosphere or underwater
  • Upside down, sideways, or at any angle
  • Blowing sand, dust, dirt, mud, grease, and various solvents
  • Shock, vibration, acceleration and high G-forces

A pen that fails in any of these scenarios could put military personnel at risk. So the U.S. military requires pens that can write consistently no matter the environment.

History of the Fisher Space Pen

In the 1960s, the Fisher Pen Company set out to develop a pen that could write in zero gravity environments for use by astronauts in space. After spending over $1 million on research and development, Fisher released the AG-7 “Anti-Gravity” Space Pen in 1967. The revolutionary design incorporated pressurized ink cartridges and a special thixotropic ink that became viscous when agitated, allowing it to flow evenly.

The AG-7 Space Pen was certified by NASA and used on Apollo missions starting in 1969. However, the original design proved unreliable and required constant maintenance. Fisher continued improving the pen, ultimately creating a hermetically sealed, pressurized ink cartridge with a carbide ball point. This design reduced leakage and clogging issues. The final result was the Fisher Space Pen, introduced in 1973.

Once NASA began using the Fisher Space Pen, the Soviet Union and then the U.S. military took notice. Soviet cosmonauts had been using grease pencils in space, which produced thick, uneven lines and required sharpening. After the Space Pen’s superiority was proven, both the Soviet space agency and the U.S. military adopted it.

Unique Qualities of the Fisher Space Pen

Here are some of the key features that make the Fisher Space Pen uniquely suited for military use:

  • Sealed, pressurized ink cartridge – This allows the pen to write at any angle, even upside-down. The cartridge is filled with a special thixotropic ink.
  • Tungsten carbide ball point – Sturdy ball point maintains its shape and writing ability even with heavy use.
  • Works from -50°F to +400°F – Operates reliably at temperature extremes encountered on Earth, underwater, or in space.
  • Writes up to 2 miles underwater – Tested for flawless writing at any ocean depth.
  • Writes at any angle – Including upside-down on ceilings, sideways, etc. Gravity is not required for ink flow.
  • Tolerates shock, vibration, acceleration – Durable enough for battlefield conditions, flight, spaceflight, and more.
  • Works immediately – No priming or shaking required, always writes instantly.

These qualities make the Fisher Space Pen absolutely reliable in any environment on Earth or in space. As a result, it has been trusted by every branch of the U.S. military for decades.

Military Specification Approval

For any equipment used by the military, manufacturers must meet a variety of stringent military specifications (Mil-Specs). Products that pass military testing are said to be “Mil-Spec” certified. The Fisher Space Pen gained official Mil-Spec approval in the mid-1970s. Specific U.S. military specifications met by the Fisher Space Pen include:

  • MIL-P-7293 – Military specification for ball point pens
  • MIL-P-18892 – Military specification for black ball point ink
  • MIL-S-42129 – Military specification for thixotropic ink cartridges
  • NASA NHB 8060.1C – Testing and approval by NASA for spaceflight

Since receiving Mil-Spec approval decades ago, Fisher has continued to collaborate with the U.S. military to ensure the Space Pen meets evolving performance standards. The pen has been rigorously tested and certified for use aboard aircraft, land vehicles, ships, submarines, and spaceships.

Use of the Fisher Space Pen in the Military

The Fisher Space Pen first gained widespread use in the U.S. military during the 1970s. Since then, it has been standard issue gear for many branches and occupations. Here are some of the key military and aerospace applications:

  • Soldiers – Army soldiers carry the Space Pen in standard field kits and survival packs.
  • Air Force pilots – Space Pens attach to flight suits and aircraft kneeboards.
  • Navy – Space Pens are essential onboard ships, subs, and with Navy divers.
  • Coast Guard – Rescue swimmers and crews rely on the pen in extreme ocean conditions.
  • Emergency survival kits – The Space Pen’s reliability makes it critical for all military survival packs.
  • NASA astronauts – NASA issues Fisher Space Pens for missions aboard the Space Shuttle and Space Station.
  • Russian cosmonauts – After NASA, the Russian Space Agency adopted the Space Pen for its reliability.

In many cases, the Fisher Space Pen is considered required, mission-essential gear. Having a pen that never fails provides crucial backup capability for military personnel in high-risk scenarios.

Models Used by the Military

While Fisher offers many models of the Space Pen for commercial and promotional sales, the U.S. military mainly relies on two specific models:

The MIL-SPEC Fisher Bullet Pen

  • Pressurized ink cartridge
  • Sealed from air, grease, fluids, etc.
  • Rugged brass or chromed brass body
  • Pocket clip for easy access
  • Compact size – 5.25″ long
  • Official NSN number for military supply system

The Fisher Cap-O-Matic Space Pen

  • Retractable pressurized ink cartridge
  • Durable anodized aluminum body
  • Removable pocket clip
  • Oversized grip for easy writing
  • Official NSN supply number

Both models have passed rigorous Mil-Spec testing and achieved NSN classification, making them available for easy acquisition through standard military supply channels.

Alternatives to the Fisher Space Pen

While other companies have attempted to replicate the performance of the original Space Pen, none have received official certification for military use. However, soldiers sometimes carry alternative pens based on personal preference. Examples include:

  • Zebra F-701 stainless steel pen – Durable metal construction, writes at angles.
  • Rite in the Rain pens – All-weather ink, industrial strength barrel.
  • Uniball Vision Elite – Pressurized ink cartridge.
  • Tombow AirPress – Pressurized ink, writes upside-down.

These pens offer some of the reliability of the Space Pen formula. However, only the original Fisher Space Pen is Mil-Spec certified and NASA approved. The Space Pen remains the gold standard for performance and heritage.

Conclusion

For over 50 years, the Fisher Space Pen has provided reliable writing performance to U.S. military personnel across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and more. This revolutionary pen is designed to work in even the harshest conditions on Earth and in space. Thanks to its pressurized, thixotropic ink and durable tungsten carbide point, the Fisher Space Pen continues to accompany U.S. forces wherever missions take them.