Abstract: An aircraft launched pyrotechnic decoy flare (1) which comprises a pellet (2) configured with a cavity (4) which extends along a fore-and-aft axis (8) of the pellet (2) and is vented at its rearward end (12). Part of the external surface of the pellet (2) is covered with a casing (16) to prevent combustion of said part of the surface. The pellet (2) is made of a gassy pyrotechnic composition including an organic binder, and an oxidizing halogenated polymer and an oxidizable metallic material which react with each other on ignition and emit infrared radiation. When the flare (1) is ignited the surface of the cavity (4) combusts and produces hot gaseous products which escape from the cavity (4) through the vent (22) thus propelling the flare (1) in a forwards direction. In this way the flare (1) can be propelled in the same direction as the aircraft to reduce the rate at which the flare (1) separates from the aircraft exhaust.