The proposed Pantego wind energy project slated for 11,000 acres in eastern North Carolina has run into concerns from Air Force officials at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. That’s because the size of the wind turbines would likely harm training operations for F-15Es at the nearby Dare County Bombing Range, reported the Charlotte Observer. The rotating blades on the wind farm’s 49 turbines would be as high as 492 feet in the air, giving overflying Strike Eagles a thin margin of clearance as they train for low-level bombing, states the newspaper’s Aug. 31 report. The location of the turbines could also interfere with radar used to track Strike Eagle practice runs, according to the report. A Defense Department review panel is reportedly scheduled to meet on Sept. 10 to discuss the project, which requires federal government approval to proceed.
The KC-Z4, a blended wing body tanker concept being developed by startup JetZero, could fuel larger groups of aircraft at longer range to hold more targets at risk, company officials say.