US Wings

What US Wings does

US Wings is a privately held, family-owned specialty apparel retailer founded in 1986 by retired US Army Sergeant David Hack and his wife Lani Hack, headquartered in Hudson, Ohio with manufacturing operations in New Jersey. The company designs, sources, and sells authentic military-style flight jackets and aviation-inspired outerwear, with product lines spanning leather jackets (A-2 Bombers, G-1/G-2 Flight Jackets, B-3 Shearling Bombers, Adventure Gear/Indy-Style, and Motorcycle), textile jackets (Nomex fire-retardant, cloth, nylon, peacoats), women's and kids sizes, and aviation-themed accessories. Core proprietary assets include exclusive licensing rights to the Cooper Original brand (continuing WWII-era A-2 jacket patterns originally produced for the USAAF after Cooper Sportswear ceased production in the late 1990s), the only-official Flying Tigers apparel license, and the US Wings Signature Series made in the USA from full-grain leather.

The company operates a multi-channel go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce (uswings.com with global shipping including APO/FPO military addresses), a physical retail storefront at Hudson OH, toll-free phone sales, and B2B contracting as an official Defense Logistics Agency supplier to the US Army, US Coast Guard, and US Navy. Additional distribution includes authorized retail partnerships with Schott, Alpha Industries, and Cockpit USA, and a channel relationship with the National Naval Aviation Museum's Flight Deck Store. Marketing leverages the company's 38+ year heritage, founder credentials, pop culture tie-ins (Top Gun, Indiana Jones, Magnum P.I.), airshow event presence (EAA AirVenture Oshkosh), and social media following exceeding 84,000 on Facebook and 35,000 on Twitter. Pricing spans entry-level nylon jackets at $45-$260, mid-range leather jackets at $300-$1,025, and premium shearling bombers up to $1,995, with a 10% military discount program, free shipping over $395, and themed promotional codes.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales across jacket and accessory categories, supplemented by specialty services including custom hand-painted jackets, leather repair and restoration (with a specialty in vintage Cooper jacket restoration), and gift cards. Customer segments span active-duty military and government agencies, aviation enthusiasts and WWII memorabilia collectors, fashion-conscious consumers drawn to heritage styling, and motorcycle riders seeking protective leather gear. The company holds woman-owned and veteran-owned small business certifications, is recognized as the first in its industry to establish an internet retail presence, and continues to expand through themed collections such as Maverick, Purple Heart, US President, and Freedom Line tied to commemorative and pop-culture moments.

Name

US Wings

Legal name

US Wings, Inc.

Website

https://uswings.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

US Wings is a family-owned, Hudson-Ohio-based specialty retailer that designs, manufactures, and sells authentic military-style leather and textile flight jackets, serving US military personnel, aviation enthusiasts, and fashion-conscious consumers through e-commerce, retail, and B2B government contracting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hudson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Jacket Sales: Primary revenue from sale of leather and textile bomber/flight jackets. Products range from entry-level textile jackets ($75-$200) to premium leather jackets ($300-$1,995+). Includes own Cooper Original line, US Wings Signature Series, and branded partners (Schott, Alpha, Cockpit USA).
2. Government/Military Supply: B2B sales to US military and government agencies as official Defense Logistics Agency supplier and authorized US Military vendor.
3. Accessories: Sales of leather care products, patches, pilot sunglasses, watches, pilot wings, bags, belts, knives, and other aviation-themed accessories.
4. Repair Services: Leather jacket repair services including zipper replacement and full reconstruction.
5. Custom Hand-Painting: Custom hand-painted jackets and patches as premium specialty offering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

US Wings designs, manufactures, and retails authentic military-style flight jackets and aviation apparel, including leather jackets (A-2 Bomber, G-1, G-2, B-3), textile jackets (Nomex, nylon, cloth, pea coats), aviation accessories, and licensed heritage collections (Cooper Original, Flying Tigers, Maverick/Top Gun). The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store at uswings.com, a Hudson, Ohio retail showroom, and serves as an official Defense Logistics Agency supplier to the US Army, Coast Guard, and Navy.

Product overview

US Wings is an e-commerce retailer specializing in authentic aviation apparel and military-inspired outerwear. The core product portfolio centers on leather and textile bomber/flight jackets available across multiple sub-brands and collections. The main product lines include: Leather Jackets (A-2 Bomber, G-1 Flight, G-2 Flight, B-3 Bomber, Adventure Gear/Motorcycle styles), Textile Jackets (Nomex fire-retardant, Cloth, Nylon, Pea Coats), plus Accessories and Clothing. The company operates proprietary sub-brands (Cooper Original, US Wings Signature Series), licensed collections (Flying Tigers, 50 Mission, Maverick/Top Gun, B-17 Heritage, Magnum P.I., Freedom Line), and distributes partner brands (Cockpit USA, Schott, Alpha Industries). Specialty services include custom hand-painted jackets, leather repair/restoration, and restored vintage Cooper jackets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cooper Original™: Authentic leather jackets and coats continuing the legacy of Cooper Sportswear, which produced A-2 jackets for the USAAF during WWII. Includes classic Cooper patterns and new classics.
• US Wings Signature Series™
• US Wings® Collection

Products and services

• Leather Jackets (A-2 Bomber, G-1 Flight, G-2 Flight, B-3 Bomber, Adventure Gear, Motorcycle) Premium leather flight and bomber jackets made from horsehide, goatskin, cowhide, cape buffalo, bison, lambskin, and sheepskin. Covers A-2 Bomber Jackets, G-1 Flight Jackets, G-2 Flight Jackets, Adventure Gear (Indy-style) Jackets, B-3 Shearling Bombers, and Motorcycle Jackets. Handmade with Grade-A drum-dyed leather and hand inspection, available to consumers, military personnel, and government agencies.
• Textile Jackets (Nomex, Cloth, Nylon Flight, US Navy Pea Coats) Non-leather jackets including fire-retardant Nomex flight jackets (CWU-45P, CWU-36P currently issued to USAF pilots), versatile cloth jackets (M-65 field jackets, tanker jackets), lightweight nylon flight jackets (MA-1, CWU, B-15, N-3B), and classic US Navy pea coats. Built for military compliance and broader consumer use.
• Cooper Original Collection Heritage collection featuring Cooper Sportswear patterns including authentic WWII A-2 jackets, G-1s, and Indy jackets. Manufactured using original Cooper patterns with Grade-A drum-dyed leather, offered to consumers and military customers seeking heritage replicas.
• US Wings Signature Series Proprietary USA-made line of quality leather flight jackets made using the finest full-grain leather, representing the company's flagship branded offering.
• Cockpit USA Jackets Jackets from Cockpit USA, an industry icon providing authentic military bomber jackets to the US Air Force, Navy, Army, and NASA, including US Navy Issue G-1 and USAF 21st Century A-2. Distributed by US Wings as an authorized retailer.
• Schott Jackets Jackets from Schott including the iconic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, peacoats, and classic flight jackets, distributed by US Wings as an authorized retailer.
• Alpha Industries Jackets Alpha Industries flight jackets including MA-1, CWU-45P, N-2B, N-3B, and vintage B-15 nylon styles, distributed by US Wings as an authorized retailer.
• Branded Heritage and Movie Collections (50 Mission, WWII, B-17 Heritage, Flying Tigers, Maverick, Magnum P.I., Freedom Line) Curated themed collections including 50 Mission (WWII bomber crews), WWII "Masters of the Sky," B-17 Heritage, Flying Tigers (only official licensee), Maverick (Top Gun 40th Anniversary), Magnum P.I., and the Freedom Line (Freedom Rider G-2 Jackets). Sold to consumers and aviation enthusiasts.
• Custom Hand-Painted Jackets and Patches Custom hand-painted patches and jacket artwork services performed by artisan Jim Harley, offered as a premium specialty service to consumers seeking personalized jackets.
• Leather Jacket Repair Service Complete leather jacket reconstruction and repair services including zipper replacement, with US Wings serving as the headquarters for Cooper jacket repairs. Available to consumers and military customers.
• Restored Vintage Cooper Jackets Restoration services for vintage Cooper jackets, returning worn jackets to like-new condition, sold to collectors and heritage enthusiasts.
• Aviation Accessories and Apparel Aviation accessories including caps and hats, pilot sunglasses, aviation scarves and gloves, watches, jewelry, pilot wings, cloth patches, blood chits, leather patches, bags, belts, knives, leather care products, plus clothing such as sweaters, hoodies, T-shirts, Aloha shirts, and military clothing.
• Gift Cards US Wings gift cards available for purchase for use across the company's e-commerce and retail channels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 38 years continuous operation as specialty retailer
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Flight Deck Store / National Naval Aviation MuseumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership where US Wings G-1 Flight Jackets are sold through the Flight Deck Store, the official store of the National Naval Aviation Museum. This positions US Wings products in a prestigious aviation museum retail environment.
• Cooper Sportswear LLCcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive licensing partnership for Cooper Original brand. Cooper manufactured A-2 jackets for USAAF during WWII and later for USAF. US Wings became official home of the Cooper name when Cooper ceased production in late 1990s, continuing the tradition with authentic patterns and quality.
• US ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial supplier to US Army for flight jackets. As authorized US Military vendor and Defense Logistics Agency supplier, provides A-2 bomber jackets to Army aviation personnel.
• US Coast GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial supplier to USCG for flight jackets and maritime apparel.
• US NavycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial supplier to US Navy for G-1, G-2, and Surface Warfare Officer jackets.
• Paramount PicturesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLicensed merchandise partnership for Top Gun 40th Anniversary. Products include Maverick Collection jackets for 2026 re-release of 1986 original film and 2022 sequel.
• Flying Tigers (Historical)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOnly official licensee for Flying Tigers-brand apparel and government-issue aviator jackets, honoring the AVG (American Volunteer Group) heritage.
• SchottcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized retailer of Schott NYC motorcycle and bomber jackets including Perfecto line, Classic Racer, and various leather flight jackets.
• Alpha IndustriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized retailer of Alpha Industries flight jackets including MA-1, CWU-45P, N-2B, N-3B, and B-15 nylon jackets.
• Cockpit USA (fka Avirex Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized retailer of Cockpit USA jackets including US Navy Issue G-1, USAF 21st Century A-2, USN/USMC WEP Jacket, and B-3 shearling bombers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cockpit USA: Cockpit USA (formerly Avirex Ltd.) is an authentic military flight jacket maker that supplied bomber jackets to the US Air Force, Navy, Army, and NASA. Direct competitor in the heritage military-leather-jacket category and also a brand US Wings distributes, making it a directly comparable peer on product, customer, and positioning.
• Schott NYC: Schott is the iconic American leather jacket maker (Perfecto, bomber, pea coats) with deep heritage in military and motorcycle outerwear. Direct competitor in the leather flight and bomber jacket category and simultaneously a partner brand distributed through US Wings.
• Alpha Industries: Alpha Industries is a heritage military-inspired outerwear maker known for MA-1, CWU-45P, N-2B, N-3B, and B-15 nylon flight jackets. Direct competitor in the military-style flight jacket category and also a partner brand on US Wings' site.
• Aero Leather: Aero Leather is a heritage maker of vintage-style leather jackets including authentic A-2, G-1, and Irvin reproductions. Direct competitor in the vintage military leather jacket niche with comparable craftsmanship positioning.
• Good Wear Leather: Good Wear Leather specializes in vintage and reproduction WWII-era military leather flight jackets (A-2, A-1, AN-6552, G-1, M-422A). Direct competitor in the high-end authentic military leather jacket niche targeting collectors and reenactors.
• Lost Worlds: Lost Worlds is a small-batch American maker of vintage-style leather jackets emphasizing period-correct construction and materials. Direct competitor in the premium authentic military and motorcycle leather jacket category.
• Vanson Leathers: Vanson Leathers is a US manufacturer of premium leather motorcycle and aviation jackets with strong competition-jacket heritage. Direct competitor in the heavy-duty American-made leather outerwear space.
• Bill Kelso USA: Bill Kelso USA is a maker of vintage-style military flight jackets inspired by WWII originals. Direct competitor in the reproduction military flight jacket niche targeting collectors and aviation enthusiasts.

Broad incumbents

• Flying Cross (Fechheimer Brothers): Flying Cross is a long-established uniform and apparel supplier to US military, law enforcement, and public safety agencies. Broader incumbent in the official military apparel space where US Wings competes on the leather flight jacket category.
• Propper International: Propper is a major US military and tactical apparel manufacturer with a broad uniform and outerwear portfolio. Broader incumbent in the official military apparel supply chain where US Wings holds DLA supplier status.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uswingscom
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/sfchack/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/uswings
• Instagraminstagram.com/uswingsflightjackets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about US Wings