Radar interference caused by wind farms can be made a thing of the past by a new air surveillance system, promises Danish manufacturer Terma.

Its Scanter 4002 system is designed to simultaneously detect and separate small air targets and large surface targets such as wind turbines.

The aim is to eliminate the problem of clutter on the radar screen caused by wind turbines' spinning blades, which can desensitise radars to aircraft such as helicopters and general-aviation types.

Terma says that in 2009 roughly 45% of all new wind farm projects in the USA were postponed or rejected due to this problem.

"The Scanter radar provided by Terma can help authorities worldwide to reach their targets for renewable energy," said senior vice-president Morten Winterberg. "The dilemma between wind energy and aviation security is solved with a flexible and affordable solution."

Headquartered in Aarhus and with subsidiaries and operations in the Netherlands, Germany, USA and Singapore, Terma employs 1,200 and in its last financial year amassed revenues of €190 million ($272 million).

Radar systems represent one of its four business areas, the others being aerostructures, integrated defence and security systems, and space.

Source: Flight Daily News