The HALO Trust - A charity specialising in the removal of the debris of war

WEAPONS & AMMUNITION DISPOSAL

For many years HALO dealt with weapons and ammunition as part of its day-to-day activity, but in 2002 HALO established a separate Weapons & Ammunition Disposal (WAD) division. HALO has conducted Weapons & Ammunition Disposal projects in Afghanistan, Angola, Georgia and Cambodia. It has developed techniques and practices in the following areas:

Conventional Ammunition
Guided Weapons and Air Dropped Bombs
Small Arms Ammunition Disposal
Heavy Weapons
Small Arms and Light Weapons
Mechanical Assistance

Conventional Ammunition

HALO uses explosive attack and incineration to destroy conventional ammunition. HALO has destroyed more than 4.5 million explosive items (11,500 tonnes of ordnance) ranging from cannon rounds to guided missiles. HALO WAD teams have also destroyed more than 450,000 AP mines and 100,000 Cluster-bomb sub-munitions.

Guided Weapons and Air Dropped Bombs

HALO has destroyed more than 4,000 air-dropped bombs and 1,500 guided missiles, including 250 Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS). HALO has also developed procedures for dealing with larger missiles such as the Guideline/Dvyna (SA2) and the Goa/Pechura (SA3) systems which it has encountered in several countries .

Small Arms Ammunition Disposal

HALO has developed a series of bespoke incinerators for dealing with small quantities of ammunition (up to 100kg per burn). Larger quantities of ammunition are destroyed in burn pits.

Using these techniques HALO has destroyed more than 40 million bullets (7,000+tonnes).

Heavy Weapons

Crew-served weapons are first stripped of all ammunition and then de-activated through the removal of breech blocks and immobilised through the removal of diesel pumps and other key items.

HALO has deactivated more than 2,800 heavy weapons.

Small Arms and Light Weapons

HALO acts as a service provider in the disposal of unwanted small arms and light weapons. Weapons collections are usually organised by the national authorities, prior to registration by HALO, certification by police or military officials and then disposal by HALO personnel. HALO uses hydraulic shears to destroy small arms and light weapons. The larger shears can cut 23mm barrels with ease. These shears can be mounted on trucks and taken to the weapons, enabling disarmament parades to take place almost anywhere.

Using the above equipment HALO has destroyed more than 70,000 light weapons .

Mechanical Assistance

HALO has developed a range of tools to assist its WAD teams in their work. HALO now uses Tele-handlers, Medium Wheeled Loaders, Truck mounted cranes, conveyors and elevators. The use of mechanical equipment leads to enhanced productivity and has allowed HALO to destroy more than 19,000 tonnes of ammunition.