Stun grenade
| Stun grenade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Less-than-lethal explosive device |
A stun grenade, also known as a flash grenade, flashbang, thunderflash, or sound bomb,[1] is a less-lethal explosive device used to temporarily disorient an enemy's senses. It is designed to produce a blinding flash of light of around 7 megacandela (Mcd) and an intensely loud "bang" of greater than 170 decibels (dB).[2] It was first used by the British Army's Special Air Service in the late 1970s.[3]
The flash temporarily activates all photoreceptor cells in the eye, blinding it for approximately five seconds. Afterward, victims perceive an afterimage which impairs their vision. The volume of the detonation also causes temporary deafness in the victim and also disturbs the fluid in the ear, causing a loss of balance.
The concussive blast still has the ability to cause injuries, and the heat created may ignite flammable materials. The fires that occurred during the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London were caused by stun grenades coming into contact with flammable objects.
Construction
British technical experts created the first stun grenade for the Special Air Service's counterterrorist wing.[4]
Unlike a fragmentation grenade, stun grenades are constructed with a casing made to remain intact during detonation and avoiding fragmentation injuries, while having large circular cutouts to allow the light and sound of the explosion through. The filler consists of a pyrotechnic metal-oxidant mix of magnesium or aluminium and an oxidizer such as potassium perchlorate or potassium nitrate.
Hazards
While stun grenades are designed to limit injury to their targets, permanent hearing loss has been reported.[5][6] Other injuries and deaths have also been caused by their use, usually when a grenade detonated close to a person, or due to structure fires caused by detonation.
References
- ^ "Drugs raid recovers tonnes of cocaine and marijuana in Chile". Daily Telegraph. London. September 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014.
- ^ "Measurement of Exposure to Impulsive Noise at Indoor and Outdoor Firing Ranges During Tactical Training Exercises" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "SAS - Weapons - Flash Bang | Stun Grenade". Eliteukforces.info. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
- ^ Bonneville, Leigh, The SAS 1983-2014 (Elite), Osprey Publishing, 2016, ISBN 1472814037 ISBN 978-1472814036, p.9
- ^ "'Stun grenades cause permanent hearing loss' - Local News | Kashmir Observer". Archived from the original on 2018-02-14.
- ^ Hambling, David (August 6, 2009). "Military Still Trying to Replace Dangerous Stun Grenades". Wired – via www.wired.com.
External links
- FM 3-23.30 Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals. GlobalSecurity.org, 1 September 2000. Ch. 1, Sec. 10. "Stun Hand Grenades". Retrieved on 26 May 2011.