The DASH program was one of
the major features of the
FRAM I and FRAM II destroyer
modernizations of the 1960s
providing the ships with a
long range stand-off
capability for launching ASW
weapons. The ships included
all FRAM I Gearing-Class,
all FRAM II Sumner-Class,
three FRAM II
Fletcher-Class, and on
Fletcher-Class DASH test
ship. The port side is shown
below which has the landing
gear, fuel tank/US insignia,
and tail surface painted
red. Those areas painted red
on the port side are painted
green on the starboard side.
The DASH was designed to
carry two MK 44 torpedoes,
one MK 46 torpedo, or a MK
17 depth charge with a MK 17
nuclear warhead. The weapon
would be delivered to within
200 yards of a submarine
contact at a range of 10,000
yards. The DASH was 12.92
feet long, 9.71 feet high,
5.25 feet wide, and had a
20-foot rotor. It cruised at
63 miles per hour, had a
maximum speed of 92 miles
per hour, and a range of 141
miles. This was the only
long range ASW capability of
the FRAM II destroyers.
