Hand grenades can be classified as:
Fragmentation. These grenades are used to produce casualties by high velocity projection of fragment. Historically, the most important hand grenade has been the fragmentation grenade, which is the soldier's personal indirect weapon system.
Offensive. This grenade is used for blast effect. Offensive grenades are much less lethal than fragmentation grenades on an enemy in the open, but they are very effective against an enemy within a confined space.
This type of grenade has a non-metallic body (cardboard, fiberglass) loaded with a high explosive filler. It employs a delay detonating fuze. Some metal fragments from the fuze may be projected.
Anti-tank. AT grenades are designed to be thrown at armored vehicles. They have a shaped-charge warhead and are stabilized by a spring-deployed parachute or cloth streamer. AT grenades use impact fuzing.
Illuminating. This grenade is used to provide illumination of terrain and targets. Because the illuminant compound burns with a very hot flame, this type can also be used for incendiary purposes against flammable targets.
Chemical. These grenades are used for incendiary, screening, signaling, training, or riot control purposes.
WARNING: Burning-type grenades burn oxygen. Standard protective masks filter particles but will not supply oxygen. Therefore, burning grenades will not be used in enclosed or confined spaces.
Bursting-type grenades are fuzed with delay fuzes which contain high-explosive detonators. The detonators rupture the grenade body and disperse the filler: tear gas, white phosphorus [illégal]. Although this type of grenade functions by bursting, it creates the same effect as burning grenades.
The current U.S. policy governing the use of CS and other riot-control munitions is found in Executive Order 11850, 8 April 1975. CS irritant gas (tear gas) may be employed in a combat zone with the approval of a higher authority. U.S. forces will employ CS in wartime defensively only to save lives as approved by the President. The Secretary of Defense may authorize the use of CS to protect and recover nuclear weapons. CS may be used on military installations (domestic and overseas), embassy grounds, and so forth, in war and in peace.
The U.S. and many other countries do not consider CS or other control agents to be chemical warfare weapons; however, some other countries do not draw a distinction. Riot-grenade hand grenades include the ABC-M7A2, ABC-M7A3, and the M47 CS.
Non-lethal. Stun hand grenades are used as diversionary or distraction devices during building and room clearing operations when the presence of noncombatants is likely or expected and the assaulting element is attempting to achieve surprise.
Practice and training. A typical practice grenade contains a small spotting charge of black powder and is fuzed with a 4 to 5-second delay igniting fuze. This type of grenade is used to simulate operation and functioning of service grenades.
Training grenades are unfuzed and completely inert. They resemble service rounds in size and shape, and are used for training in handling and throwing.
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/grenade/hand.html
Fragmentation. These grenades are used to produce casualties by high velocity projection of fragment. Historically, the most important hand grenade has been the fragmentation grenade, which is the soldier's personal indirect weapon system.
Offensive. This grenade is used for blast effect. Offensive grenades are much less lethal than fragmentation grenades on an enemy in the open, but they are very effective against an enemy within a confined space.
This type of grenade has a non-metallic body (cardboard, fiberglass) loaded with a high explosive filler. It employs a delay detonating fuze. Some metal fragments from the fuze may be projected.
Anti-tank. AT grenades are designed to be thrown at armored vehicles. They have a shaped-charge warhead and are stabilized by a spring-deployed parachute or cloth streamer. AT grenades use impact fuzing.
Illuminating. This grenade is used to provide illumination of terrain and targets. Because the illuminant compound burns with a very hot flame, this type can also be used for incendiary purposes against flammable targets.
Chemical. These grenades are used for incendiary, screening, signaling, training, or riot control purposes.
WARNING: Burning-type grenades burn oxygen. Standard protective masks filter particles but will not supply oxygen. Therefore, burning grenades will not be used in enclosed or confined spaces.
Bursting-type grenades are fuzed with delay fuzes which contain high-explosive detonators. The detonators rupture the grenade body and disperse the filler: tear gas, white phosphorus [illégal]. Although this type of grenade functions by bursting, it creates the same effect as burning grenades.
The current U.S. policy governing the use of CS and other riot-control munitions is found in Executive Order 11850, 8 April 1975. CS irritant gas (tear gas) may be employed in a combat zone with the approval of a higher authority. U.S. forces will employ CS in wartime defensively only to save lives as approved by the President. The Secretary of Defense may authorize the use of CS to protect and recover nuclear weapons. CS may be used on military installations (domestic and overseas), embassy grounds, and so forth, in war and in peace.
The U.S. and many other countries do not consider CS or other control agents to be chemical warfare weapons; however, some other countries do not draw a distinction. Riot-grenade hand grenades include the ABC-M7A2, ABC-M7A3, and the M47 CS.
Non-lethal. Stun hand grenades are used as diversionary or distraction devices during building and room clearing operations when the presence of noncombatants is likely or expected and the assaulting element is attempting to achieve surprise.
Practice and training. A typical practice grenade contains a small spotting charge of black powder and is fuzed with a 4 to 5-second delay igniting fuze. This type of grenade is used to simulate operation and functioning of service grenades.
Training grenades are unfuzed and completely inert. They resemble service rounds in size and shape, and are used for training in handling and throwing.
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/grenade/hand.html
