wind
Jan 6, 2025
How wind turbines could be used to spot incoming missiles
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is exploring the use of stealth materials for wind turbine blades and radar-equipped masts to address concerns that offshore wind farms may obscure enemy attacks from radar.

Advanced machine learning is also being considered to filter radar reflections caused by wind farms. As the government aims to massively expand offshore wind power by 2030, conflicts between national security and energy security have arisen. Wind turbines pose a radar challenge because their moving blades produce complex signals, complicating the detection of objects like helicopters. BAE Systems is investigating software solutions to differentiate between turbine and aircraft reflections, potentially deleting wind farm signals from radar feeds. Other innovative approaches include radar-absorbing paints for turbine blades and using turbines as part of air defense systems with passive sensors to extend radar capabilities. NATO has expressed concerns about the UK’s current air and missile defense expenditure, emphasizing the need for improved defense systems to protect critical infrastructure. Read more.
More in
wind

Wind
May 19, 2025
Empire Wind Project Resumes Construction After Trump Administration Lifts Pause
The Trump administration has lifted its stop-work order on Equinor’s $5 billion Empire Wind project off New York’s coast, allowing construction to resume on a wind farm expected to power over 500,000 homes by 2027.

wind
May 6, 2025
Wind Power Made More Practical with 3D Printing
UC Irvine’s AM³ Lab is deploying robotic 3D printing of novel concrete materials—eliminating traditional formwork and on-site casting—to build ultra-tall wind-turbine towers and components, reducing steel use, labor, and transport challenges while enabling advanced designs for both onshore and offshore applications.