ABSTRACT
Visibility with regard to the target, enemy vehicles and installations during night time is vital. Pyrotechnic illuminating compositions have been found to provide visibility in combat operations as well as other operations like landing of aircrafts. Generally, magnesium is used as the major fuel in illuminating compositions. This chapter explains the role and characteristics of illuminating compositions (luminosity, burn rate), factors affecting burn time and illumination, preference of magnesium as fuel, illuminating compositions with parachute, relationship between ground illumination and candle altitude, performance of illuminating composition in air, argon and nitrogen, typical illuminating compositions and special requirements of illuminating compositions. References are provided at the end of the chapter.
