The fusion technology programme of the European Community

The management structure of the European Communities' Fusion Programme is described, and its reliance upon the national fusion programmes of the Member States, plus Sweden and Switzerland is explained. The programme, originally covering the physics of magnetic confinement, has been braodened by the inclusion of technology projects and, more recently, this technology has been separated and given a new importance. The technology work, specific to the needs of the Next European Torus, NET, has been identified and subdivided into technology tasks which have now been distributed among those national laboratories expert in the particular fields of topical interest. The continuous assessment of this new work will be undertaken by the NET Design Team and a Fusion Technology Steering Committee. During the 5 year programme period 1982-1986 about one tenth of the whole programme is expected to be devoted to Fusion Technology (50 Million ECU), and this proportion is expected to increase in future programmes. (orig.)