Stealth Technology For Wind Turbines Addressing the Aviation and Marine Radar Issues Jon Pinto : Team

Leader Electromagnetics

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

Introduction
Overview of Programme Stakeholders and Radars Turbine Radar Signature (Radar Cross Section) Stealthy Turbine Design Requirements Progress to Date/Remaining Activities Summary and Conclusions

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

STWT Programme Overview

1.2M DTI collaborative to introduce aerospace stealth technology to wind turbines 4 partners:(RCS, radio propagation, aviation radar modelling and passive stealth) radar expertise and marine radar models Active stealth for RCS reduction and Doppler signature control of blades Turbine manufacturer

Programme running Nov05 to Nov07 Seen as complimentary to InSyte post processing solutions for some radar types

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

Main Work Packages

Requirements Capture and Design Brief generation Build RCS model of turbine Build models of marine and aviation radars Use radio propagation models to estimate path losses Combine models to give complete impact of wind farm on victim radars 2 study sites, London Array (offshore) and Crystal Rig 2 (onshore) Investigate shaping of turbines Develop active and passive radar absorbent materials Build demonstrator

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

Aviation Stakeholders
Defence Estates
7 fixed AD radars (1215-1400MHz, 2.7-3.1GHz, 470km) Military ATC PSR (2750-3050MHz, 222km) Military IFF (1030MHz Tx, 1090MHz Rx) - issue? Military En-route now NATS PSR (terminal approach, 2.7-2.9GHz) SSR (1030-1090MHz, 250nm) - issue? En Route (1.2-1.3GHz) issue? PSR (2.7-2.9GHz) ACR (X-band 30nm) - rare Weather Radars (5.35GHz, 75km typical)

NATS

Regional Airports

2 bands, L-band 1.3GHz and S-band 2.7-3.1GHz, closer inspection suggests S-band is major concern

Meteorological Office

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

Marine Stakeholders
MCA Navigation Safety Branch
Shore based - 60 VTS scanners, 6 at 3.1GHz, rest at 9.1GHz and 9.45GHz VTS Other radars at 9.3-9.45GHz <10,000 GR Tonnes 9.41GHz, X-band >10,000GRT or 45m 2.9-3.1GHz and 9.4GHz

Port Authorities (ABP)

2 bands, S-band 3.1GHz and X-band 9.1-9.41GHz

Marine Vessel Operators

Major Stakeholder radars fit into 2 bands, 2.7-3.1GHz and 9.1-9.41GHz

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

Turbine RCS
V82 Turbine Geometry
Nacelle (approx. 4% total mono RCS), but high RCS broadside flash Blades (approx. 20% total mono RCS)
60 Total (No diffraction) 59 58 57 RCS (dBsm) Total (Diffraction)

Nosecone (approx. 1% total mono RCS)

56 55 54 53 52 51 50 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Rotation R (degrees)

1 3 3 2

1 3 2 2 2 1 3 1 2

Overall huge monstatic RCS, approx 57dBsm at 3GHz and 62dBsm 9.25GHz.

Tower (approx. 75% total mono RCS)

Mono RCS 100 times larger than warship broadside on!

Advanced Technology Centre BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06 7

How much is enough? Sidelobes

Simplistic calculation based on sidelobes to estimate RCS reduction necessary
For AD radar, elevation sidelobes -30dB down. Target air vehicle 0dBsm (non-stealthy) Assume wind turbine +60dBsm, illuminated by sidelobe. 60dB reduction round trip. Currently detector signal comparable with return from 0dBsm target Reduction of turbine returns by 20dB potentially improves target detectability in wind farm vicinity

Estimation of reduction based on range sidelobes of ATC, AD and azimuth sidelobes (25dB assumed) of marine radar suggest -20dBsm reduction will give detectability improvements in these cases.

3D radar

Need to reduce an 80m turbine to 17m high 40cm radius i.e a fat street lamp!
Advanced Technology Centre BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06 8

How much is enough? Marine Sidelobes

20dB reduction (both bands) will lead to detectability improvements

Advanced Technology Centre BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06 9

Stealthy Turbine Main Design Requirements

Electrical
2.7-3.1GHz and 9.1-9.41GHz, 14% and 3.3% fractional bandwidths 20dB reduction in RCS overall required Blades and Nacelle Compliant with IEC 62305 1-5 2004 for LS Blade mass increase minimised (338kg/ 0.9mm ply). Total mass 7tonnes for 40m. Retain existing manufacturing method UV exposure Temperature range of -40o to +60o Solution cost <10% of overall turbine Minimise O+M costs, 20 year design life Minimise design alterations/re-qualification Unclassified
BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

Mechanical

Environmental

Other

Advanced Technology Centre

10

Remaining Steps

Project Completion (Components Constructed) Mid 07

Advanced Technology Centre BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06 11

Conclusions/Benefits
Application of Stealth is feasible as mitigation measure Solution intended to result in minimal changes to manufacturing process, limiting cost (5-10%) RCSR only solution for marine Developed suite of tools to predict impact of wind farms on radars By end of 2007 provide impact studies Developed shaping and material solutions

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

12

Artists Impression of The Solution

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

13

Actual Implementation

Advanced Technology Centre

BWEA28.ppt, 11th October 06

14