NAVSEA's Self Defense Test Ship Returns To Sea

One of the Naval Sea Systems Command's more unique test assets, the Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS), recently got underway for sea trials after receiving a full range of repairs. The test ship had been damaged during live fire testing last May. Formerly the destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 31), the Self Defense Test Ship can be remotely controlled to conduct weapons evaluation at sea without risk to personnel. The full range of repairs was performed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Port Hueneme Division in California. The extensive repair schedule included asbestos abatement and removal of debris, repairs to the hull and internal structure, piping systems, main propulsion, and electrical systems, and the testing of combat systems. The repair work was completed on July 28, 1999 - on time and within the estimated budget. Multiple weapons attacking the test ship can be detected by multiple sensors and engaged by multiple defense systems. This provides the capability to perform realistic, integrated, synergistic testing which cannot be accomplished aboard a manned vessel. Test events of tactical missiles for targets and scenarios with potentially hazardous intercept ranges require complete evacuation of the test ship and the use of a towed decoy barge. Otherwise the vessel is a manned, fully operational ship with Fleet representative weapons and sensors. The test ship can also be used for testing when pierside, as a floating laboratory available for use without the scheduling problems associated with a commissioned ship. The SDTS can support all types and levels of engineering, test and evaluation. This month the test ship is scheduled for developmental and operational testing utilizing the Rolling Airframe Missile and Ship Self Defense System.