50 years of the Safeguards and Security Technology Training Program at LANL

Year
2024
Author(s)
Marc L. Ruch - Safeguards Science and Technology Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
William H. Geist - Safeguards Science and Technology Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Laura A. Limback - Safeguards Science and Technology Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Makayla M. Sanchez - Safeguards Science and Technology Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Morgan L. Irish - Safeguards Science and Technology Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Cristina Rinaudo - Safeguards Science and Technology Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Abstract

In 2023, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Safeguards and Security Technology Training Program (SSTTP). The program held its first course in 1973, titled “Fundamentals of Nondestructive Assay (NDA),” with 20 participants. Since then, the SSTTP has held more than 400 courses with over 7000 participants. The primary focus of the SSTTP is NDA methods including neutron, gamma-ray, and calorimetric NDA techniques for measurements of uranium and plutonium in various forms, such as fuel, waste, and holdup. Other topics have included radionuclide identification, nuclear Material Control and Accounting (MC&A), statistics for MC&A, nuclear forensics, and physical protection. IAEA safeguards inspectors began participating in these courses in 1974 and the SSTTP began holding dedicated IAEA Inspector Training in 1980 in which nearly every new IAEA inspector has participated in since. Today, the SSTTP provides courses for a myriad of target audiences, including IAEA safeguards inspectors, students, and domestic and international nuclear safeguards and security practitioners and managers. This paper will provide an update on the development and history of the nuclear safeguards and security NDA training at LANL, including key factors that have contributed to the success of this program over the past 50 years. We will discuss lessons learned from the extensive participant feedback that has been accumulated over that history and the outlook for the future of the program.