Overview of recent ITER TBM Program activities

Abstract The ITER Test Blanket Module (TBM) Program has significantly evolved since 2018. The number of equatorial ports allocated for operating the Test Blanket Systems (TBSs) has been reduced from three to two. As consequence, four TBSs can be simultaneously installed and operated, versus six previously. Since the dedicated space in the various rooms of the Tokamak Complex has been kept unchanged, the existing space constraints have been substantially relaxed. The paper addresses the possible selection of the four TBSs for the initial configuration and design of the involved TBMs and the main on-going R&D carried out by the ITER Members (IMs) in support of the TBS designs. It describes also the main progress of the design of the infrastructures needed for hosting the four TBSs (e.g., port plugs, port cell common components, common maintenance tools and equipment). The design of the TBS Connection Pipes (CPs) System has reached its final phase since, being captive, it needs to be installed before the First Plasma.