Inertial fusion is a dual application program. We have energy application as a long-term goal just as the magnetic fusion program has the energy application, but in addition, the program resides in defense programs in the Department of Energy and also has military applications. This gives us the opportunity to focus on things that can give benefits in a nearer term than the energy application.The inertial t~usion program is at a crossroad today. We have made important progress in the inertial fusion program. In particular, we have made progress in the target physics area. Consequently, the program has begun to explore, more seriously than we have in the past, the question of a new, high gain facility that we call the Laboratory Microfusion Facility.Finally, I want to make the point that in 1989-1990 we are undergoing a review that has been mandated by Congress and will be conducted by the National Academy of Sciences.With respect to target physics, we have made significant advances as shown in Fig. 1. Halite/Centurion is a program that is highly classified. It involves underground testing in Nevada using the energy from a nuclear Halite/Centurion: Underground tests in Nevada have allowed demonstration of excellent performance, putting to rest basic questions about the feasibility to achieve high gain Nova experiments: Experimental results with indirectly driven targets match performance predictions at radial convergence ratios approaching those of high gain targets Omega experiments: Achieved 100 XLD fuel compression milestone with cryogenic targets
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