grenades

A grenade is a small explosive device designed to be thrown by hand or launched by a weapon system. Most grenades are intended to detonate after a short delay, projecting fragments or creating a specific effect such as smoke, light, or gas. Fragmentation grenades are the most common type in military use, engineered to disperse high-velocity shrapnel over a wide area. Other variants include smoke grenades for signaling or obscuring vision, incendiary grenades to start fires, and gas or chemical grenades for crowd control or battlefield effects. Non-lethal or less-lethal grenades, such as stun or flashbang devices, use bright light and a loud sound to disorient targets without relying on fragmentation.

Historically, early grenades emerged in Europe and Asia in the early modern period, often as hollow containers filled with gunpowder. The term grenades derives from the pomegranate, reflecting the shape and shattering effect of early devices. Over time, military engineers standardized designs to improve safety, reliability, and effectiveness, leading to the modern family of hand-thrown and rifle-launched grenades used by armed forces and specialized law enforcement units.

Handling and safety are critical, as grenades contain energetic materials. They are issued and trained for use by qualified personnel, with strict procedures for transport, arming, arming remote detonators, and disposal. In civilian contexts, legal restrictions typically prohibit possession of grenades, and their procurement and use are tightly regulated.

In summary, grenades are versatile explosive devices designed to deliver area effects, whether through fragmentation, blast, smoke, or non-lethal stimuli, with applications in military, strategic, and law enforcement contexts.