Flares - Why so many?

It seems that many of the UFO videos we see are probably some sort of flares designed to loiter and descend at a very slow rate. Why does the military test these? Why so often? I would think that these are pretty much low technology and theres not much more to do in the way of R & D. What military value do these sort of flares have?

sodom

"What military value do these sort of flares have?"

none

you know why? because these things are not flares.
these things are, umm.., things, you know...

sodom

Originally posted by Rotoplooker
It seems that many of the UFO videos we see are probably some sort of flares designed to loiter and descend at a very slow rate.

many ??????????????

even i would disagree - certainly a few % are missidentified flares

but what you have to remember is that militarties have rules N` regs for exercises with flares - and regs on where / when they can be used

ie - on a designeted test range / exercise area - during an ex .

dropping flares over a city woukd be potentialy grounds for a courts martial . [ negligenant behaviour ]

so only sightings in certain areas CAN be flares [ of a military origin ]

Why does the military test these?

Why so often?

few flare drops are tests - most are practice / crew training

pluss - like all umnitions flares have a shelf life - and must be " stock rotated "

end of life ordnance must be used or destroyed - destroying it is wastefull and pointless

so a few months before thier expery date they are released for training prurposes and used in exercises .

I would think that these are pretty much low technology and theres not much more to do in the way of R & D.

au-contraire , the principle of flares may be lo tech - but scientist strive to build brighter , longer burning flares that have longer shelf lives and are safer in storage

all changes must be tested - to ensure that they actualy work as theorised .

What military value do these sort of flares have?

either illumination - ussualy in support of ground forces

or decoy - to spoof IR guided SAM and AAM missiles fired at the A/C

Already a thread on Flares right here.

ignorant_ape really good points on the military flares and areas of drop.

www.abovetopsecret.com...'

[edit on 14-2-2007 by Realtruth]