A novel low-pressure radio-frequency nonthermal plasma system has been successfully designed, installed, and tested for the decontamination of full-size shell surfaces. The destruction removal efficiency (DRE) of the new plasma system for dinitrotoluene (DNT), a simulant of high explosives, destruction depends on various plasma parameters including gases, power outputs, on/off cycles, and treatment times. Under the same decontamination conditions, H-2 plasma is more uniform and efficient for all surface decontamination of DNT than O-2 plasma. The best three decontamination conditions investigated so far are 100 W with a 6 ms/3 ms cycle, 75 W with continuous wave, and 200 W with a 3 ms/6 ms cycle of H-2 plasma. The best DRE achieved is 99.86%. No unreacted DNT was detected bypassing the plasma treatment in the gas stream. N-2, O(0)2, and H2O are the major products detected by the online mass spectrometer, from the process of plasmas reacting with DNT. There is some NOx mainly NO, detected in the product stream, but it is a minor product of the process. It appears that the current nondestructive decontamination process is economical and environmentally friendly and has a great potential to replace the open burning/open detonation process currently practiced by the military for obsolete artillery shell casings.