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GCI: Ground Controlled Interception

Ground Controlled Interception was an air defense tactic used on the Second World War in which one or more radar stations were linked to a command communications centre which guided interceptor aircraft to an airborne target, usually an incoming enemy aircraft. GCI radars spun on a vertical axis in order to provide a complete 360 degree view of the sky around the station. Previous systems, such as Chain Home, could only be directed along angles in front of the antennas, and were unable to direct traffic once it passed behind the radar’s range. GCI radars began to replace CH starting in 1941, allowing a single station to control an entire battle from early detection to directing the fighters to intercept.

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Disclaimer: The audio files available on this virtual exhibit are the result of a long term oral history interview project conducted by the Secrets of Radar Museum. Sections of these interviews have been compiled here to make them accessible to the general public. Interviews were conducted by different museum staff at different times using different recording devices. As a result, some of the audio clips have background noise or other imperfections. The Secrets of Radar Museum has worked to ensure that the recordings shared here have been refined to increase sound quality and reduce these imperfections, but some recordings will still have flaws due to the limitations of the original audio file. The Secrets of Radar Museum appreciates your understanding in this matter. Please contact us for more information.

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