  Very high energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) gamma-rays provide a unique probe into
the non-thermal processes in the universe. The ground-based Imaging Air
Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) for detecting VHE gamma-rays have been perfected,
so a relatively fast and inexpensive assembly of IACTs is now possible. Next
generation instruments will have a sensitivity about 10 times better than
current facilities, and will extend the accessible gamma-ray bandwidth at both
energy ends (down to 30 GeV and up to 300 TeV) with improved angular and energy
resolutions. Some key physics drivers, that are discussed here, suit specific
features of the upcoming IACT facility, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).
The resulting technical solutions chosen for CTA, and the current status of the
project, are also outlined.
