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Photo # NH 98620-KN:  Self Defense Test Ship (ex-USS Decatur) at Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS, EDDG-31), 1994-2004,
formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31), 1956-2004

Self Defense Test Ship (also known as SDTS and EDDG-31) was originally the guided-missile destroyer Decatur (DDG-31), which was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in March 1988. The ship, now in the status of "equipment", was ordered converted for weapons trials purposes a month later. This work took several years, and SDTS achieved initial operational capability in October 1994.

SDTS subsequently operated out of Port Hueneme, California, with a mission of providing the Navy "with an at sea, remotely controlled, self defense weapons engineering, test and evaluation platform for the conduct of advanced weapons evaluation without risk to personnel". Powered by outboard drive diesel engines, SDTS carried a variety of advanced guided-missiles, guns and sensors for engaging incoming anti-shipping missiles, but was also used for other test and evaluation purposes. She operated either manned or unmanned, depending on the risks involved in engaging the "real-world" weapons that were sent her way.

Self Defense Test Ship (ex-Decatur) was taken out of service in 2003 and replaced by the decommissioned Spruance class destroyer Paul F. Foster (DD-964). She was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean during Operation "RimPac" on 21 July 2004.

This page features all the views we have concerning the Self Defense Test Ship (STDS), which was previously USS Decatur (DDG-31).

For images of this ship as USS Decatur, see:

  • USS Decatur (DD-936, later DDG-31), 1956--2004.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 98618-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    At Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003.
    The "E31" painted on her bow was an unofficial "hull number", with the "E" standing for Engineering and the "31" referring to her previous identity as USS Decatur (DDG-31).
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98619-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    At Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003. The decommissioned destroyer Paul F. Foster (DD-964), in the distance, was then being prepared to become the new SDTS, replacing the ex-Decatur.
    Note the towing fitting installed on the ship's bow.
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98620-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    At Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003.
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98621-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    At Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003.
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98622-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    At Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003, with a target barge tied up astern.
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 51KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98623-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    View on the the ship's foredeck, looking aft. Taken at Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003.
    Note AN/SLQ-32 electronic countermeasures units above her pilothouse wings and NSSMS directors on her pilothouse top and foremast. Lifering is labeled "SDTS".
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 490 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98624-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    View looking forward from the starboard side of the ship's pilothouse. Taken at Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003.
    The site of the ship's forward 5"/54 gun mount is configured to hold a Dual Pack ESSM Launching System (DPELS).
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 485 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98625-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    View looking forward from the ship's helicopter deck, showing her RAM launcher and 20mm CIWS gun mount. Taken at Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003.
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 57KB; 485 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98626-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    View of the ship's starboard outboard drive unit. Taken at Port Hueneme, California, 16 June 2003.
    Photographed by Frank V. Thompson.

    Courtesy of Frank V. Thompson, 2003.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 100KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98617-KN (color)

    Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS),
    formerly USS Decatur (DDG-31)

    Diagram of systems installed on the ship.
    Copied from a brochure on the SDTS, published by the Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, 2002.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 495 pixels

     

    For images of this ship as USS Decatur, see:

  • USS Decatur (DD-936, later DDG-31), 1956--2004.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 23 July 2003
    Text updated 12 October 2006