Comments on: Navy’s Deadly New Darts

By: David Hambling

David Hambling — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:26:55 +0000

Some interesting comments here, though it seems the word ‘chemical’ is a trigger for some folks.
The DETA causes the explosive to burn rather than exploding, and neutralises it in seconds. The resulting debris may not be too environmentally friendly, but it’s a great deal better than a live minefield.

By: kyliniemi

kyliniemi — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:08:39 +0000

DETA is a chemical in liquid form, read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). The article says it neutralizes the explosive not detonates it. How long does it take? Hours, days or weeks?
Can’t they use the darts without the chemical? Criticizing a bad idea does not make one a liberal or un-American.

By: G Hayes

G Hayes — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 16:02:01 +0000

DETA, really isnt a chemical, its an explosive normally used in sheet form. Yes it is a chemical explosive but so is EVERY other explosive. C-4 for example is made out of RDX and a plasticizer with a mix of 91% and 9% respectively. So yes everyhting is a “chemical” but military standards for explosives state that they must be minimally toxic. You dont want your average engineer running around with c-4 in his pocket being exposed to some chemical that is going to rot his leg off. As long as you dont eat it, you are good to go.

By: Robert Jewett SSG Retired

Robert Jewett SSG Retired — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:51:51 +0000

Guys– “This is not a poison gas weapon the chemicial is not released until the darts are well underground(undersea), the Chemicial reacts with nitrates like in plastic explosives, & SIMEX. It makes then chance into amides, and cease to be explosive. Any civilians in the area of the darts would be in greater danger of stepping on one of their own mines. the DETA over a few weeks naturally decomposes int ammonia and other non-toxic stuff. it is non carcogenic. True if you get a big dose, hot, it would be bad, so would a lot of things used in the USA every day.
“Maybe it would just be better for us to advoid the entire area, and leave the mines for the kids playing on the beach to step on by accident.”

By: A Real Patriot

A Real Patriot — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:47:45 +0000

Hey, kyliniemi !!! You better get your head out of the sand and pay attention! Doe’s this article say anything about “Chemicals of mass destruction”? These are obviously designed to detonate the mine,next time real the whole article. Or admit that you are a liberal. In that case, you are not smart enough to read the whole thing!

By: kyliniemi

kyliniemi — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:32:31 +0000

Munitions with chemicals? Any one in the military who would launch it and the one’s who ordered it would be facing a war crimes tribunal. Get real.

By: robertleehorton

robertleehorton — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:12:52 +0000

GET THE NEWS MEDIA out and let the soldiers do what they have been trained to do… the Media is the cause of so many mistakes being made and even coaxed upon our Soldiers, the Media was our worst enemy in Vietnam and they are the same here, always showing the worst and never the good stroies and the Victories, there fore the enemy is the Media… BACK OFF, unless youre ready to become a Soldier and actually fight for your rights and freedoms which we all doubt..

By: RexIrae

RexIrae — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 09:45:23 +0000

this is obviously an anti personnel weapon. the grouping wouldnt work from that altitude. also, DETA
http://www.dow.com/PublishedLiterature/dh_03bf/ 09002f13803bfdbc.pdf?filepath=amines/pdfs/noreg/108–01370.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc
is a skin irritant. is this supposed to help our guys in a surf zone? I think it makes them impossible to remove and that causes a great health hazard even after the fight.

By: Bob S.

Bob S. — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 03:26:42 +0000

I served during Vietnam and went to Korea right after the Pueblo was captured. This war (Iraq) is a polished war. First of all, the media needs to be removed and then we need to let out men and women take over the place. In other words, kick ass and take names later

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 02:00:38 +0000

I read these posts and just go back to the hidden Marine infantryman that lurks inside me. I teach HS now in Brooklyn NY. I have some pics of me and my buddies carrying fellow Marine during the beurut conflict hanging on my cork board above my desk. I look so young that I got used to telling the students that I knew the guys in the pictures. I never point to me. There must be so many people like me. We are producing more now with this conflict. I wish we could all get together in a major sports arena and party. No civilians allowed. If you want to share a story with a vet so be it. If not, talk about family, kids, new life. We need to unite. No politicians unless they served in a conflict. I would even give respect to the politicians that were held in the rear. The guilt of not being able to go foward of the FEBA and serve under fire. They asked to serve but got screwed. Maybe for the better in my mind. They are actually lucky. When I was in Beirut, I spoke to a sucking chest wound LT who was a former Army Ranger turned Marine officer. He died in 15 minutes after we flew him out. Sometimes, he talks to me in dreams. I got over the fear of waking up suddenly and feeling his presence. No more fear. We will join him soon. I just want to live for my children and leave them when I have to with all of my wisdom. They will carry on.