A
flare, also sometimes called a
fusee, is a type of
pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light or intense heat without an
explosion. Flares are used for signalling, illumination, or defensive
countermeasures 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
artillery, or deployed by
flare guns or handheld percussive tubes.