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This is a basic list of the
primary radar sets used by the Canadian Navy since the Second World
War. The different sources upon which this page is based sometimes have
conflicting information and details, and some of the information seen
here has therefore been extrapolated from those conflicting sources.
Dedicated fire control tracking radars will be covered separately.
Photos, where available, are primarily of radar antennas, and not the
electronics that are located elsewhere in the ship.
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AN/SPQ 501
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|
Role
|
Air / surface search. |
Fitted to
|
IROQUOIS
class destroyers (post-TRUMP).
|
Range
|
110 nm (2 metre square target)
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
Early 1990s to present.
|
Comments
|
Dutch Signaal DA-08 antenna, fitted to
IROQUOIS class destroyers following their TRUMP refits. Installed near
top of mast.
|
Sources
|
Steed,
Roger G. (1999). Canadian Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON.
Jane's Fighting Ships, various editions.
|
| Photo 1: © Sandy McClearn |
1. On HMCS
ATHABASKAN.
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2.
|
3.
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AN/SPQ 502
|
|
Role
|
Long range air search |
Fitted to
|
IROQUOIS
class destroyers (post-TRUMP).
|
Range
|
145 nm (2 metre square target)
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
Early 1990s to present.
|
Comments
|
Dutch Signaal LW-08 antenna, fitted to
IROQUOIS class destroyers following their TRUMP refits. Installed
forward of mast above bridge.
|
Sources
|
Steed, Roger G. (1999). Canadian
Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON. (p.53)
Jane's Fighting Ships, various editions.
|
| Photos 1&2: © Sandy
McClearn |
1. On HMCS
ATHABASKAN.
|
2. On HMCS
ATHABASKAN. |
3.
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AN/SPQ 2D
|
|
Role
|
Surface search.
|
Fitted to
|
IROQUOIS
class.
|
Range
|
40 nm ?
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
1972 to early 1990s.
|
Comments
|
Italian surface search radar, installed
above the SPS 501 antenna. Removed during TRUMP refits.
|
Sources
|
ASDIC,
RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
Steed, Roger G. (1999). Canadian Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON. (p.53)
|
| Photo 1: Courtesy Corvus Pub. Grp. |
1. On HMCS
ATHABASKAN. |
2.
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3.
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AN/SPS 8
|
|
Role
|
Height finder
|
Fitted to
|
HMCS
BONAVENTURE |
Range
|
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
1957 to 1967
|
Comments
|
Installed over bridge on BONAVENTURE.
Removed during 1967 refit.
|
Sources
|
Conway's
All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1982. Conway Maritime Press
Ltd. (1983).
Snowie, Allan J. (1987 / 1999). The Bonnie - HMCS BONAVENTURE.
Boston Mills Press (1987) / Ampersand (1999).
|
| Photos 1-3: © DND |
1.
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2.
|
3.
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AN/SPS 49 (V) 5
|
|
Role
|
Long range air search |
Fitted to
|
HALIFAX
class frigates.
|
Range
|
250 nm. (2m target at 457km)
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
Early 1990s to present.
|
Comments
|
Installed
forward of mast above bridge.
|
Sources
|
Global
Security website.
Steed, Roger G. (1999). Canadian
Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON. (p.58)
Jane's Fighting Ships, various editions.
|
| Photo 1: © Sandy McClearn |
1.
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2. |
3.
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AN/SPS 501
|
|
Role
|
Long range air / surface
search. |
Fitted to
|
IROQUOIS
class destroyers (pre-TRUMP), HMCS
BONAVENTURE.
|
Range
|
200 miles?
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
1967 to early 1990s
|
Comments
|
SPS 12 transmitter adapted to a Dutch
Signaal LW 03 antenna. This radar was first fitted to HMCS BONAVENTURE
after her 1967 refit, and remained in service with the IROQUOIS class
destroyers until their TRUMP refits in the early 1990s.
|
Sources
|
ASDIC,
RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
Steed, Roger G. (1999). Canadian Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON. (p.53)
Jane's Fighting Ships, various editions.
Snowie, Allan J. (1987 / 1999). The Bonnie - HMCS BONAVENTURE.
Boston Mills Press (1987) / Ampersand (1999).
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Photo 1: © Sandy McClearn
Photos
2&3: © DND
|
1. LW 03 on HMAS
VAMPIRE.
|
2. On HMCS
BONAVENTURE.
|
3. On IROQUOIS
class. |
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AN/SPS 502
|
|
Role
|
Surface search
|
Fitted to
|
Improved
RESTIGOUCHE and
ANNAPOLIS
classes. |
Range
|
50 miles?
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
1980s to 1990s
|
Comments
|
Replaced SPS 10B radar in some ships
after DELEX refits, kept same antenna. Also known as SPS 10D?
|
Sources
|
ASDIC,
RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
Steed, Roger G. (1999). Canadian Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON.
|
Photo 1: © Sandy McClearn
Photo 2:
© DND
|
1. On HMCS
NIPIGON. |
2. On HMCS
NIPIGON. |
3.
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 |
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AN/SPS 503
|
|
Role
|
Long range air / surface
search. |
Fitted to
|
Improved
RESTIGOUCHE and ANNAPOLIS
classes. |
Range
|
200 miles?
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
1980s to 1990s |
Comments
|
Marconi solid state replacement for the
SPS 12, fitted during DELEX refits to some ships.
|
Sources
|
ASDIC,
RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
Steed, Roger G. (1999). Canadian Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON.
Mike Potter's ST. LAURENT class destroyer tables.
|
Photos 1&2: © Sandy
McClearn
|
1. On HMCS
NIPIGON. |
2. On HMCS
NIPIGON. |
3.
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AN/SPS 505 (Ericsson
Sea Giraffe HC 150)
|
|
Role
|
Air / surface search
|
Fitted to
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HALIFAX
class frigates.
|
Range
|
55 miles
|
Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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Early 1990s to present.
|
Comments
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Installed atop lattice mast.
|
Sources
|
Steed,
Roger G. (1999). Canadian
Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON. (p.58)
Jane's Fighting Ships, various editions.
|
Photo 1: © Sandy McClearn
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1.
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2. |
3.
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Sperry Mk.2
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|
Role
|
Navigation, medium range
surface
search.
|
Fitted to
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Frigates, destroyers, and cruisers.
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Range
|
30 miles.
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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1950s - 1970s.
|
Comments
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Standard navigation radar fitted to
post-war RCN ships. Good for detecting submarines periscopes. Was
fitted with both solid and lattice antennas (see photo below). Replaced
by Sperry Mk.127E.
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Sources
|
ASDIC,
RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
HMCS HAIDA
National Historic Site
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Photo 1: Courtesy H. Robinson.
Photo 2:
© Sandy McClearn
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1. On masts of frigates.
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2. On HAIDA.
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SW1C, SW2C, SW2C/P,
SW3C/P
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|
Role
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Air / surface warning.
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Fitted to
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Minesweepers, Corvettes, Frigates,
Destroyers, and smaller vessels.
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Wavelength
|
1.5m
|
Range
|
5000 yds (corvette-sized object)
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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1942-1943
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Comments
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A fairly unsuccessful series of radar
sets developed and built in Canada, made necessary by a lack of Type
271 sets. In addition to serious design limitations, these sets
generally suffered from severe teething problems. The SW3C series was a
revised SW2C intended for installation in smaller vessels such as
Fairmiles. The antenna was generally fitted to the top of the forward
mast, and was rotated by hand.
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Sources
|
ASDIC,
RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
Canadian
War Museum
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| Photo 1: © DND |
1. Fitted to BANGOR class. |
2. On model in CWM.
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RX/C
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Role
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Air / surface warning.
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Fitted to
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N/A
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Wavelength
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10cm
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Range
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??
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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N/A, never entered service.
|
Comments
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The result of a failed Canadian program
to produce a centimetric radar set similar to the British Type 271 set,
the RX/C never saw active service.
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Sources
|
Douglas, Sarty, Whitby, Caldwell,
Johnston, Rawling. (2002). No
Higher Purpose. Vanwell
Publishing Ltd. St.
Catherines, ON. |
Photos
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1.
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SU
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|
Role
|
Short range surface
search, gunnery spotting.
|
Fitted to
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PRESTONIAN
class frigates (postwar), River class
frigates, ALGERINE
class minesweepers..
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Wavelength
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3 cm?
|
Range
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80 miles
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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1944 - 1967.
|
Comments
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Used on the PRESTONIAN class frigates for
4" gunnery spotting, and some River class frigates in place of a Type
271 (mounted to the masthead in place of a HF/DF antenna).
|
Sources
|
ASDIC, RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
|
Photo 1: Courtesy H. Robinson
Photo 2:
© DND
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1. On mast of frigate.
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On minesweeper at masthead.
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Type 271
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|
Role
|
Air / surface warning.
|
Fitted to
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Corvettes, Frigates, Destroyers,
Minesweepers
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Wavelength
|
10cm
|
Range
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10-25nm
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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1942-1945
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Comments
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Very successful surface warning radar set
fitted to many ships in WWII. The antenna was a "double cheese" type,
and was fitted inside a protective lantern (see photos).
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Sources
|
Naval
Weapons of the World website
ASDIC, RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
|
Photo 1: © Sandy McClearn
Photo 2:
© DND
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1. Fitted to SACKVILLE.
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2. Fitted to River class destroyer.
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 |
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Type 277 (P and Q
models)
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|
Role
|
Air / surface warning
and height finder.
|
Fitted to
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MAGNIFICENT,
River class
destroyers, cruisers,
LOCH class
frigates, CASTLE
class
corvettes.
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Wavelength
|
10cm
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Range
|
25-35nm
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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1943-1954
|
Comments
|
In some ships (for example, HMCS
ONTARIO), the P model was replaced with the Q model, which had a
larger antenna. The P model replaced the Type 272 in some LOCH and
CASTLE class
ships.
|
Sources
|
Naval
Weapons of the World website
ASDIC, RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
Snowie, Allan J. (1987 / 1999). The Bonnie - HMCS BONAVENTURE.
Boston Mills Press (1987) / Ampersand (1999).
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Photos 1&2: © DND
Photo 3: ©
M.D.
Thomas |
1. Type 277P (small antenna) on destroyer mast.
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2. Type 277Q (larger antenna)
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3. Type 277Q
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Type 286
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|
Role
|
Destroyer surface
warning
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Fitted to
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River
class destroyers
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Wavelength
|
1.5m
|
Range
|
In trials, could detect a submarine at
3.5 to 4 miles in calm seas. These ranges were not seen in active
service.
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
|
1940-1943
|
Comments
|
Adapted from an RAF Coastal Command
air-to-surface-vessel (ASV) radar set for use in destroyers, this set
was intended to locate surfaced submarines at sea. In ths RCN, this set
was installed on the forward mast of River class
destroyers. The Type 286 radar suffered from serious operational
limitations, and was removed and/or supplemented as soon as better sets
were available. The radar antenna was fixed and could only scan in an
arc ahead of the ship, and it was required to alter course to scan a
different area. It used a simple A-scan, and it was difficult to
discriminate between actual targets and reflections from the sides and
to the rear of the ship that resulted from emissions that leaked in
those directions.
|
Sources
|
Douglas, Sarty, Whitby, Caldwell,
Johnston, Rawling. (2002). No
Higher Purpose. Vanwell
Publishing Ltd. St.
Catherines, ON. (p.115)
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| Photo 1: Courtesy Corvus Pub. Grp. |
1. Fitted to SAGUENAY. |
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 |
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Type 291
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Role
|
Air warning.
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Fitted to
|
River class destroyers, frigates,
corvettes, minesweepers.
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Wavelength
|
1.5m
|
Range
|
35nm
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Approximate Cdn. Service Dates
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1943-1952
|
Comments
|
Antenna generally installed at mast head.
|
Sources
|
Naval
Weapons of the World website
ASDIC, RADAR, and
IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
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| Photo 1: © Sandy McClearn |
1. Fitted to SACKVILLE.
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Additional Sources:
Barrie, Ron and Macpherson, Ken. (1996). Cadillac of
Destroyers: HMCS ST. LAURENT and Her Successors.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, Ont.
Steed, Roger G. (1999). Canadian Warships Since 1956.
Vanwell Publishing Ltd. St. Catherines, ON.
Jane's Fighting Ships, Various Editions
Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships, Various Editions
Corvus Publishing Group / Canada's Navy Annual.
Various
Issues. (1985-1991)
With information from the files of Mike Potter.
ASDIC, RADAR, and IFF
Systems Aboard HMCS HAIDA website by Jerry Proc.
M.D. Thomas photos.
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