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Reference.org
Flare
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<p>A flare, also sometimes called a fusée, fusee, or bengala, bengalo in several European countries, is a type of <a href="/facts/Pyrotechnic/Gocs5Gcu">pyrotechnic</a> that produces a bright light or intense heat without an <a href="/facts/Explosion/Utp8Wv9D">explosion</a>. Flares are used for distress signaling, illumination, or defensive <a href="/facts/Countermeasures/AVfVQh5r">countermeasures</a> in civilian and military applications. Flares may be ground pyrotechnics, projectile pyrotechnics, or parachute-suspended to provide maximum illumination time over a large area. Projectile pyrotechnics may be dropped from aircraft, fired from rocket or <a href="/facts/Artillery/GLpMYG9o">artillery</a>, or deployed by <a href="/facts/Flare_gun/VP5wIQg0">flare guns</a> or handheld percussive tubes. </p>