VERITAS, the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System,
is a major new ground-based observatory for studying non-thermal
astrophysics in the gamma-ray regime above 100 GeV. Located at the
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Southern Arizona, VERITAS began
stereo observations with the first two of four telescopes in January,
2006. Construction and commissioning of the remainder of the array
took place during the Summer and Fall of 2006, in parallel with
engineering and science observations by the first two telescopes. I
will report on the performance of the array during the commissioning
period as well as its current status. I will also describe the VERITAS
Key Science Projects which include a sky survey in the galactic plane,
a search for new TeV-emitting AGN as well as the detailed study of
TeV-blazars, observations of Supernova Remnants and Pulsar Wind
Nebulae and, a search for dark matter.