Which type of grenade is often used for signaling purposes?

The colored smoke grenade is utilized for signaling purposes because it produces a visible cloud of colored smoke that can be seen over long distances, making it an effective tool for communication on the battlefield. These grenades can signal locations, indicate the presence of friendly forces, or mark evacuation points, helping to relay important information without the use of radio communications that may be compromised or cut off.

In contrast, frag grenades are designed for inflicting casualties through fragmentation and are not suitable for signaling. Incendiary grenades start fires and are used to destroy equipment or deny areas to the enemy, which does not serve a signaling function. Riot control grenades typically release tear gas or other chemicals to manage crowds and de-escalate situations, rather than providing a method of signaling. The specific design and purpose of the colored smoke grenade make it uniquely advantageous for the signaling needs of infantry units.