Chain Home radar network

E2278

The Chain Home radar network was Britain’s pioneering early-warning radar system that provided long-range detection of enemy aircraft during the early years of World War II, crucially aiding air defense in the Battle of Britain.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf early-warning radar network
military radar system
commandAndControlIntegration Dowding system
conflict Battle of Britain
Second World War
constructionStart 1936
country United Kingdom
coverageArea British east and south coasts
English Channel
North Sea approaches
detectionRange up to about 120 miles
developedBy Arnold Wilkins
British Air Ministry
Robert Watson-Watt
Telecommunications Research Establishment
fullyOperationalBy 1940
historicalSignificance demonstrated strategic value of radar in modern warfare
pioneered integrated radar-based air defence
inception mid-1930s
inService 1938
keyFeature continuous 24-hour operation
integration with ground-controlled interception
long-range detection of incoming raids
limitation limited height-finding accuracy
poor low-altitude coverage
locationCountry United Kingdom
networkType fixed radar stations
notableFor being one of the first operational radar air defence networks
contributing decisively to British victory in the Battle of Britain
operatedBy RAF Fighter Command
Royal Air Force
operationalRole detecting range and bearing of aircraft
partOf British air defence system
primaryTarget hostile aircraft
signalType pulse radar
successor Chain Home Extra Low
post-war centimetric radar systems
supportedBy Chain Home Low
Royal Observer Corps
technologyType metric-wavelength radar
radio detection and ranging
towerType steel transmitter towers
wooden receiver towers
usedDuring early years of World War II
usedFor air defence
early warning of enemy aircraft
wavelengthRange HF/VHF band


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