A stun grenade, also known as a flash grenade, flashbang, thunderflash, or sound bomb,[1] is a non-lethal explosive device used to temporarily disorient an enemy's senses. Upon detonation, a stun grenade produces a blinding flash of light and an extremely loud "bang". They are often used in close-quarters combat, door breaching, and riot control, typically to stun enemies or distract them.[2]
Originally developed to simulate explosions during military training, stun grenades were first used by the British Army Special Air Service's counterterrorist wing in the late 1970s,[3][4] and have been used by police and military forces worldwide since.[5]
Despite their less-lethal nature, stun grenades are still capable of causing harm, and can injure or kill when detonating in close proximity. They are also capable of sparking fires.[6]
- ^ "Drugs raid recovers tonnes of cocaine and marijuana in Chile". Daily Telegraph. London. September 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014.
- ^ "Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office > Current Intermediate Force Capabilities > M-84 Flash Bang Grenade". jnlwp.defense.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "SAS - Weapons - Flash Bang | Stun Grenade". Elite UK Forces. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
- ^ Bonneville, Leigh, The SAS 1983-2014 (Elite), Osprey Publishing, 2016, ISBN 1472814037 ISBN 978-1472814036, p.9
- ^ McEvoy, Matthew, et al. "State violence against protesters: Perspectives and trends in use of less lethal weapons." Torture Journal 34.1 (2024): 35.
- ^ Angwin, Julia; Nehring, Abbie. "Hotter Than Lava". ProPublica. Retrieved 2023-09-08.