USS Paul F. Foster, Paul Foster ship, USS Paul Foster association

What is the Navy’s SDTS?

March 16, 2026 In Other News No Comments

What is the Navy’s SDTS?

Test and Evaluation Aboard the USS Paul F. Foster Test Ship

After her active service in the fleet, the USS Paul F. Foster (DD-964) began a second and very important career with the U.S. Navy as the Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS).

The Navy dedicated the former Spruance-class destroyer, redesignated EDD-964, as a specialized platform used primarily for at-sea testing and evaluation of naval weapon systems and technologies.

Today, the ship serves as a floating laboratory, supporting a wide range of testing and engineering activities for the Navy.

Key Roles of the Test Ship

The SDTS supports numerous types of naval testing and evaluation, including:

  • Floating laboratory for design investigation, training, and logistics testing

  • Distance support development

  • Advanced technology demonstrations

  • Target evaluation

  • Hull, mechanical, and electrical initiatives

  • In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) investigations

Through these missions, the ship helps the Navy develop, evaluate, and improve the systems that protect sailors and ships at sea.

A Unique Capability

One of the most unique features of the Self Defense Test Ship is its ability to operate remotely without a crew onboard during live-fire testing.

Using advanced control systems, engineers can operate the ship from shore facilities while weapons systems are tested against realistic threats and targets. This allows the Navy to fully evaluate the entire detect-control-engage sequence in a safe environment.

Where the Testing Happens

Test ship operations are conducted from facilities at:

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD)

  • Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at Point Mugu

These facilities are located within the Sea Test Range, an extensive testing area that provides thousands of nautical miles of ocean space for conducting realistic naval test scenarios.

Control of the ship’s navigation and combat systems is performed from the Surface Warfare Engineering Facility (SWEF) at Port Hueneme using a combination of radio frequency communications and fiber-optic technology.

Why the SDTS is Important

The Self Defense Test Ship provides several critical advantages to the Navy:

  • Allows realistic at-sea testing of new weapons and technologies

  • Reduces risk to sailors during live-fire testing

  • Accelerates the development and introduction of new systems into the fleet

  • Keeps operational Navy ships and their crews available for fleet missions

  • Provides a flexible, remotely operated test platform without the constraints of a manned ship

A Second Life for a Proud Ship

Thanks to this unique mission, the USS Paul F. Foster has continued serving the United States Navy long after her original fleet service ended.

Her role as the Navy’s Self Defense Test Ship has helped test and validate many of the systems that protect today’s fleet.

For the shipmates who served aboard her, it is a source of pride to know that the Paul F. Foster continues contributing to the safety and strength of the United States Navy.

👉 NAVSEA SDTS Video (Click Here)

⚓