ARA develops alternative to traditional flash-bangs

ARA has developed a new Non-Pyrotechnic Diversionary Device (NPDD) in order to give tactical teams an advantage in situations where the use of a pyrotechnic flash-bang is a poor or nonexistent choice.

The device has been developed to eliminate the exposure to hazardous toxins and inhalants common to pyrotechnic devices. The NPDD is a non-toxic, intrinsically safe diversionary device that uses a combination of non-pyrotechnic light and blast elements to create a distraction with similar effect to conventional pyrotechnic flash-bang devices with light and sound.

The NPDD features interchangeable burst caps, so the acoustic impulse and concussive force are customisable. The NPDD also features a customisable flash sequence and fuze delay, and is submersible for maritime operations.

The device uses compressed CO2 to pressurise a replaceable bursting cap to produce diversionary concussive force and acoustic impulse with a peak sound pressure level of 165 decibels. The NPDD uses LEDs and a replaceable COTS battery with supercapacitors to produce an ultra-bright flash of light.

In addition, the NPDD does not create any obscuring smoke or release hazardous toxins or inhalation hazards, making it ideal for repeated use in a training environment.

The NPDD can be used in training situations where the NPDD is typically less expensive per use and eliminates exposure to hazardous toxins and inhalants; in situations that would normally preclude the use of traditional pyrotechnic flash-bang devices (due to, for example, personnel injury concerns, fire hazards and sensitive materials); and in training or operational scenarios conducted in smaller spaces, where the full intensity of a standard flash-bang is not needed, or may be dangerous.