By Tom Harris
Broadly speaking, a grenade is simply a small bomb designed for short-range use. The idea is very simple: Combustible material is ignited to make an explosion -- a rapid expansion of gases that produces powerful outward pressure. The essential elements of a grenade, are combustible material and an ignition system.
Many different combustible materials are used in grenades, which generate a range of explosion types. Some explosions spread fire, and others release a lot of smoke. Some produce little more than a loud noise and a flash of light. Still others release toxic gas.
Ignition systems also differ, but they usually fall into one of two categories: time-delay igniters and impact igniters. The function of both is to set off an explosion after the grenade is a fair distance away from the thrower. The igniter in an impact grenade is activated by the impact force of landing on the ground. With a time-delay grenade, the thrower sets off a fuze, which ignites the grenade after a certain amount of time has passed (generally a few seconds).
The most widely used grenade on the battlefield is the time-delay fragmentation anti-personnel hand grenade. The primary job of this grenade is to kill or maim nearby enemy troops. To create maximum damage, the grenade is designed to launch dozens of small metal fragments in every direction when it explodes.
The firing mechanism is initiated by a spring-loaded striker inside the grenade. The striker is usually held in place by a striker lever on top of the grenade, which in turn is held in place by the safety pin. A soldier grips the grenade so the striker lever is pushed up against the body, pulls out the pin and then throws the grenade.
