The Low Frequency Array is a new radio telescope based on phased arrayprinciples that will operate at frequencies from 10–240 MHz. The vastimprovement in sensitivity and resolution over previous instrumentsthat have worked at these frequencies, together with the increasedflexibility that results from the phased array approach(multi-beaming, no moving parts) make LOFAR an extremely versatile andpowerful new instrument. We present some of the scientific drivers andgive an overview of the current design.