PROLIFERATION RESISTANCE ANALYSIS AND
EVALUATION TOOL FOR OBSERVED RISK (PRAETOR)
The PRAETOR (Proliferation Resistance Analysis and Evaluation
Tool for Observed Risk) code is software developed to assess and
evaluate the relative proliferation resistance of nuclear energy
systems. The definition and features of proliferation resistance
(PR) assumed in developing the code are the following. PR is
defined as that characteristic of a nuclear energy system that
impedes (a) the diversion or undeclared production of nuclear
material or (b) misuse of technology by States in order to acquire
nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Two important
measures of PR are the intrinsic features of the special nuclear
material and the extrinsic barriers at the nuclear installation.
Intrinsic features result from technical design of nuclear energy
systems and the extrinsic measures are those that result from the
implementation of a States' undertakings related to nuclear
nonproliferation. PRAETOR code is developed using FORTRAN 90
programming language based on the well established Multi Attribute
Utility Analysis (MAUA) methodology. In general, the MAUA consists
of several methods of compiling multiple factors into a single
metric to facilitate easy decision making and has the ability to
incorporate complex and inter-related components in a decision. For
instance, each factor in the PR analysis has impacts on risks,
resources, timelines, and/or levels of effort associated with the
acquisition of a significant quantity (SQ) of special nuclear
material (SNM).
PRAETOR is currently available to interested parties via email
request to: praetor@ne.tamu.edu
