Ballistic syllables are a phonemic distinction in Otomanguean languages: Chinantec and Amuzgo.
They have been described as characterized with increased sub-glottal pressure (Mugele 1982) or laryngeal abduction (Silverman 1994).
The acoustic effect is a fortis release of the consonant, a gradual surge in the intensity of the vowel, followed by a rapid decay in intensity into post-vocalic aspiration.
Non-ballistic syllables are, by contrast, called "controlled."
See Chinantec of Ozumacín for examples.