Tripflare

A tripflare is a device used by military forces to secure an area and to guard against infiltration. It consists of tripwire around the area, linked to one or more flares. When the tripwire is triggered, as by someone unsuspectingly disturbing it, the flare is activated and begins burning. The light from the flare simultaneously warns that the perimeter may have been breached and also gives light for investigating. In defensive operations, tripflares are usually placed in predetermined kill zones with machine guns sighted on them.

A tripflare igniting

United States military tripflares are issued with a fuze resembling that found on the M67 grenade. The difference is that the tripflare uses a pull fuse. This type of fuse detonates the flare immediately following spoon release. Also the pin does not have either the ring, or the split pin of other grenades. Instead it is double ended, one end acts as a safety clipping into both sides of the fuse body, while the other side is a straight pin allowing for easy removal. The flare is shipped with a metal mounting bracket that allows the grenade shaped flare to be mounted on a stake, tree, or other vertical service. One end of the bracket has a point allowing it to be driven into the ground, while the other end has a spring loaded spoon holder that allows for two way release. The soldier installing the flare can use this feature to set up the tension so that if the trip wire is detected and cut the flare still ignites.

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