Smoke bombs, also called smoke grenades, smoke canisters, or smoke signals, are devices that give off a cloud of colored or white smoke for a set time. In defense and professional settings, they're used to signal, to mark locations, to provide visual cover in drills, and to make training realistic.
Authorized use only. Military and tactical smoke devices are for trained, authorized users in approved settings: military units, law enforcement, and licensed training and safety organizations. Ownership, transport, and use are regulated, and the rules vary by country, state, and local area. Nothing on this page is instructions for making or modifying any device.
Main types
Training smoke. Made for exercises and drills. These devices often produce less heat and less irritating smoke, so realistic training can happen with lower risk.
Signaling smoke. Colored smoke, such as red, green, yellow, or violet, used to send a visual signal. It can mark a landing zone, show wind direction to aircraft, identify a position, or signal distress. Maritime and survival distress signals, usually orange smoke, are a related civilian category.
Screening smoke. Dense white or gray smoke that blocks line of sight, used in authorized tactical training and operations to hide movement.
Specialty smoke. Includes cool-burning or low-residue smoke for indoor and firefighter training, and smoke used to test ventilation and airflow.
Intended use cases
Military and law enforcement training exercises and simulations.
Marking helicopter landing zones and showing wind direction.
Signaling for search and rescue, and for distress at sea or in the wilderness.
Firefighter and emergency-response training, such as searching rooms filled with smoke.
Industrial ventilation and leak testing, using purpose-made test smoke.
Safety notes
Use devices only as the manufacturer's instructions and your organization's procedures direct.
Many devices get very hot and can start fires. Use them away from dry grass, fuel, and anything that burns, and keep a way to put out a fire nearby.
Don't breathe in the smoke. Use devices outdoors or in approved, well-ventilated training spaces, and wear any protective equipment that's required.
Keep a safe distance from people and animals, and never throw a device toward anyone.
Check wind direction before use so the smoke drifts away from people, roads, and buildings.
Store devices in a cool, dry, secure place away from heat sources, and out of reach of children.
Get rid of used or faulty devices as the manufacturer and local rules require. Never try to take one apart, repair it, or reuse it.
General product information only. It isn't an offer to sell, and it isn't a statement of any contract, specification, or certification. Check local, state, and federal laws, and get any required authorization before buying, carrying, or using smoke devices.
