Manufacturer: | BlackSky ![]() |
Brief:
T' BlackSky Advanced Retention and Release Device (ARRD) is a pyrotechnically
activated release device. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! It is most commonly used t' provide dual-deployment
from a single compartment but can also be used t' secure and release just about
anythin' (i.e. Begad! external boosters).
Construction:
T' ARRD is 2.10 inches long and is 1.245 inches in diameter. Aye aye! It consists o' a
machined 7075 aluminum body into which a 17-4 stainless toggle is inserted. Ahoy! Aye aye! The
base unscrews t' reveal an internal piston with a tension sprin' and five
stainless steel capture balls. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' base has 1/4-28 mountin' stud along with an
openin' for t' e-match leads t' pass out. Aye aye! There is a machined Delrin cartridge
which holds .05cc o' pyrodex and up t' two e-matches which fits into a machined
hole in t' base. Aye aye! Avast! When assembled t' toggle is held firmly by t' capture
balls. Blimey! Ignition o' t' e-matches results in t' piston movin' up against the
pressure o' t' tension sprin' and releasin' t' toggle and thus whatever is
attached t' it. T' toggle has both a machined plain hole through t' side and
a 1/4-28 threaded hole through t' top. Well, blow me down! In t' picture you can see I've added a
3/16 SS quicklink t' t' toggle, shiver me timbers, this is nay included with t' ARRD.
T' quality o' t' ARRD is top
notch, BlackSky uses only high quality parts and t' machinin' is excellent.
Assembly is straight forward. Begad! Lightly lube t' two o-rings. Install the
e-matches into t' Delrin cartridge and pass t' leads out o' t' body base. In
the Delrin cartridge is a small recess t' hold t' pyrodex or blackpowder
charge (0.05cc) and an adhesive backed paper disk is placed over this t' hold
the charge. Well, blow me down! T' only tricky part comes next, matey, arrr, turn t' body upside down, insert
the toggle, drop in t' 5 capture balls, last insert t' piston (makin' sure
the tension sprin' is in place) until t' piston is just past t' threaded
section o' t' body. Ahoy! Blimey! T' toggle is now captured and you can screw t' body back
onto t' base. Well, blow me down! T' reason I say tricky is that in practice it usually takes
more than one try t' get t' toggle t' capture properly. Blimey! However once captured
properly I have never been able t' get it t' accidently release. Arrr! T' specs on
the ARRD are as follows:
Finishing:
T' quality o' t' machining/finish is excellent. Ahoy! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' instructions are
adequate, arrr, consistin' o' an assembly detail sheet on one side and an assembly
instruction sheet with an exploded view along with assembly instructions.
Summary:
Pro: Extremely well made, fairly easy t' use, me hearties, small size. Begad! Works well in small
enclosed spaces.
Con: Can be tricky t' get t' toggle t' capture properly. Well, blow me down! A little on the pricy side, matey, but you get what you pay for.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
W.T.M. (May 4, 2009)