Largest Naval Combat System Test Site in South Korea Begins Construction.

According to information published by the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration on November 19, 2024, the DAPA held a groundbreaking ceremony for the country’s largest Land-Based Test System (LBTS) for naval combat systems at the SOKRI Ocean Research Center in Samcheok. This facility is designed for the testing, evaluation, and training associated with the combat system of the next-generation KDDX destroyers.
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A model of the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries's KDDX destroyer. (Picture source: Wikipedia/@Foxtrot19_RADAR)

The LBTS serves as the "brain" of a ship’s combat system, integrating sensors, weapons, communication systems, and navigation equipment into a unified operational structure. The Samcheok facility, sprawling over 6,700 square meters, is designed to pre-validate and test combat systems on land, minimizing errors when deployed on naval platforms. This approach will enhance performance, streamline upgrades, and facilitate repairs, ensuring that ships achieve optimal combat effectiveness during missions.

The LBTS is expected to be completed by June 2026, with verification processes leading up to full-scale operations starting in 2027. It will primarily support testing and evaluation of the KDDX combat system through developmental and operational tests (DT, OT-1), provide technical support, and offer training programs for naval operators.

Moreover, the facility will be a cornerstone for continuous combat system upgrades, serving as an evolutionary development site. It mirrors the concept of the U.S. Navy’s Combat System Engineering Development Site (CSEDS), a critical facility for the Aegis Combat System.

LBTS

Land-Based Test Sites (LBTS) are critical facilities used for testing and evaluating military systems in controlled environments that replicate operational conditions. These sites are essential for ensuring the reliability, performance, and integration of complex defense technologies before their deployment in the field. By enabling thorough assessments under simulated real-world conditions, LBTS facilities mitigate risks, reduce development costs, and enhance the readiness of military equipment.

For example, the U.S. Navy recently inaugurated the DDG(X) Land-Based Test Site at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Philadelphia. This facility is dedicated to advancing the next-generation guided-missile destroyer by rigorously testing critical systems to ensure seamless integration and high reliability. Similarly, Canada plans to establish a Land-Based Test Facility at Hartlen Point, Nova Scotia, as part of its Canadian Surface Combatant program. This site, scheduled for construction between 2025 and 2027, will focus on validating naval systems before installation, reflecting a broader commitment to modernizing its fleet.

In the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Defence Magnetic Range on the Isle of Portland specializes in precise magnetic measurements for naval equipment, providing a stable environment for testing mine countermeasure systems and navigation tools. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Vidsel Test Range serves as a premier site for testing aerospace and defense technologies, including missiles and unmanned aerial systems, leveraging vast airspace and ground resources.