Brief:
T' BlackSky Advanced Retention and Release Device (ARRD) is a pyrotechnically activated release device. Ya scallywag! Begad! 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. Aye aye! Ahoy! external boosters).

Construction:
T' ARRD is 2.10 inches long and is 1.245 inches in diameter. Avast! It consists o' a machined 7075 aluminum body into which a 17-4 stainless toggle is inserted. Ahoy! Arrr! The base unscrews t' reveal an internal piston with a tension sprin' and five stainless steel capture balls. T' base has 1/4-28 mountin' stud along with an openin' for t' e-match leads t' pass out. 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. When assembled t' toggle is held firmly by t' capture balls. Aye aye! Arrr! 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. Ahoy! T' toggle has both a machined plain hole through t' side and a 1/4-28 threaded hole through t' top. In t' picture you can see I've added a 3/16 SS quicklink t' t' toggle, this is nay included with t' ARRD. Arrr!

T' quality o' t' ARRD is top notch, matey, arrr, ya bilge rat, BlackSky uses only high quality parts and t' machinin' is excellent. Assembly is straight forward. Lightly lube t' two o-rings. Ahoy! Blimey! Install the e-matches into t' Delrin cartridge and pass t' leads out o' t' body base. Ahoy! Blimey! 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. T' only tricky part comes next, turn t' body upside down, arrr, insert the toggle, me bucko, drop in t' 5 capture balls, me hearties, matey, shiver me timbers, 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. Avast! Begad! Blimey! T' reason I say tricky is that in practice it usually takes more than one try t' get t' toggle t' capture properly. Arrr! Blimey! However once captured properly I have never been able t' get it t' accidently release. Avast, me proud beauty! T' specs on the ARRD are as follows:

• Max Static Load 880lbs
• Max Release Load 100lbs
• Weight 3.3oz
• Mountin' is a single 1/4-28 (NF) stainless bolt

Finishing:
T' quality o' t' machining/finish is excellent. Aye aye! T' instructions are adequate, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, consistin' o' an assembly detail sheet on one side and an assembly instruction sheet with an exploded view along with assembly instructions. Arrr!

Summary:
Pro: Extremely well made, matey, fairly easy t' use, small size. Aye aye! Avast! Works well in small enclosed spaces.

Con: Can be tricky t' get t' toggle t' capture properly. Avast, me proud beauty! A little on the pricy side, but you get what you pay for.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5