Overview and progress for the Novatron concept R. Holmberga and the Novatron Team aNovatron Fusion Group, Stockholm, Sweden The Novatron concept aims to simplify magnetic plasma confinement by starting from a configuration that is inherently stable against low-order MHD instabilities. Building on the stability of magnetic cusp geometries, the Novatron extends this into a double-cusp topology that supports larger plasma volumes with minimal radial transport. To address the challenge of axial confinement, the concept uses a “triple force” approach [1], in which magnetic mirror confinement is combined with ambipolar and ponderomotive forces. The cusped magnetic mirrors are extended with tandem cells, improving axial confinement through ambipolar electrostatic fields. To maintain the required elevated electron temperature in the tandem cells, ponderomotive RF thermal barriers are applied at the mirror throats. The Novatron Fusion Group is advancing this concept through a staged experimental program. A first experiment platform, the Novatron 1 (N1) device, is currently operational at KTH, Stockholm, Sweden, and focuses on validating central cell stability. Planned upgrades include ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) and the first implementation of ponderomotive plugging. Design work is underway for the N2 experiment, which will feature full tandem mirror configurations and higher power operation. Several tandem cell designs are under evaluation, including both self-stabilized and average-stabilized variants that leverage the favorable curvature of the Novatron central cell. This talk will provide an overview of the Novatron concept and summarize recent progress in designing RF plugging to achieve reactor-relevant confinement. [1] Scheffel, J., J. Jäderberg, K. Bendtz, R. Holmberg, and K. Lindvall. ‘Axial Confinement in the Novatron Mirror Machine’. Nuclear Fusion 65, no. 6 (1 June 2025): 066011.