New recoil particle arrays are being developed for optimal study of direct reactions at forthcoming facilities for radioactive beams such as SPIRAL2 at GANIL. The GASPARD project is based on a concept of a high granularity 4π particle silicon detector fully integrable in major gamma-ray devices currently under development. The detection of gamma-rays in coincidence with particles allows the use of thicker targets as well as a large gain in excitation energy resolution as compared to particle detection only. Detection of gamma-rays also provides crucial spectroscopic information on the populated states. Other important features of GASPARD are the implementation of state-of-the-art particle identification techniques and integration of special targets such as the pure and windowless hydrogen target being currently developed. General aspects concerning the design are presented as well as most recent results of the related research and development program on particle identification using pulse shape discrimination.