When the Spruance-class destroyer USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964) is decommissioned next March, it will find new life as the next Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) at Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme. The Chief of Naval Operations' Surface Warfare Division announced that Paul F. Foster would become the next dedicated ship self defense test and evaluation platform assigned to Port Hueneme, in a message to Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Paul F. Foster would replace the ex-USS Decatur (DDG 31), which has been assigned to Port Hueneme since 1994. The SDTS plays a significant role in the testing and evaluation of sensors, weapons, and combat systems before they are introduced to the fleet.