Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) Program
The FRAM program of the US Navy was in response to the build up of the Russian military threat of the cold war. Submarine detection and destruction was now the priority. The Navy did a study that revealed that the existent Gearing and Sumner class destroyers could be modernized to meet these challenges at considerable costs savings over building new ships. Thus the FRAM I and II came into being with each ship in these classes being granted its own 18 month yard time.
 The ships were completely stripped to the main deck and all interior machinery was overhauled or replaced. Electronics and state of the art weapon systems were to be installed. More specifically, all secondary WWII weaponry and the No. 2 twin 5in gun were removed. Kennedy received a pair of Mk32 torpedo tube in place of the No. 2 forward mount. In addition, Kennedy received an ASROC (Anti Submarine Rocket Launcher) and control station between her stacks. ASROC fired a rocket at a submarines position that would parachute out a Mk44 or 46 homing torpedo in to the water. Looking at the starboard side of the Kennedy in the adjacent picture, one can see the Mk 32 anti-submarime torpedoes on the 01 level just under the bridge. These fired a mk 44 or mk 46 homing torpedo. On top of the signal bridge is the Mk37 5" gun fire control director. This director computes all targetting information for the twin 5"38 mounts. It also transmits and receives data from both CIC and the IC compartments within the ship. Notice the cap on the forward stack ,which was installed on all FRAM destroyers to protect against nuclear overpressure.
 A hangar deck was created aft to launch and stow a DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter). This is a picture of the Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter (DASH) aboard Kennedy in the early 60's. It was supposed to remotely deliver a mk 44 or 46 homing torpedo to a submarines location and then return to the ship. Though the initial DASH had some problems, the program was quite successful in many ways and a improved system would have been a great asset. Some state that the primary end to DASH was lack of support in the fleet and not due to malfuctions.
Adjacent to the hangar itself was the ASROC stowage compartment.
 The new ultra low frequency SQS-23 sonar (with a 40,000 yard range) was installed forward to complement the ASW weaponry as well as an ECM array installed aft of the ASROC. The adjacent picture shows the secondary mast on DD850 with the Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) antenna/domes. The domes are part of the ESM AN/WLR1 system of surveillance. This system allowed for the accessing of enemy ship and aircraft radio, radar, and navigation transmissions. This information would reveal the location, type of enemy weapon systems, and potential threat. On the ends of the mast, were ECM equipment that tryed to confuse the enemy by interfering with the enemies communication systems.
The superstructure and interior compartments were totally rebuilt to accommodate and protect the increased amount of personnel needed to maintain and operate the new equipment.
 The FRAM project was supposed to add 8-10 years on to the operating lives of these ships. With Gearings still active in the world, the FRAM was successful in maintaining technology and firepower.
Want more information about FRAM and it weapons systems? The Kennedy Restoration Team in Association with Gyrodyne Helicopter Historical Foundation has put together a informative page. Please goto: http://www.gyrodynehelicopters.com/fram.htm
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Assistant Curator, Battleship Cove
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