§ Mr. Tam DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he is offering to manufacturers of windmill blades in overcoming problems of radar reflection on military aircraft. [166940]
§ Mr. Caplin[holding answer 20 May 2004]: The Department of Trade and Industry in association with the Ministry of Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority and British Wind Energy Association, through the Wind Energy, Defence and Civil Aviation Interests Working Group have commissioned Qinetiq to investigate the feasibility of developing wind turbine blades that would be invisible to radar. The Department is also aware, through the same Group, that Sheffield University is investigating the technology for development of similar wind turbine blades. Additionally, the working group hopes to test software technology that can be applied to radar to mitigate some of the effects that are caused by wind turbine blades. MOD expects, in due course, to take a major role in testing this technology. MOD officials are available to meet with any manufacturers of wind turbine blades to discuss radar issues.