The Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program of the United States Navy extended the lives of World War II-era destroyers by shifting their mission from a surface attack role to that of a submarine hunter. The FRAM program also covered cruisers, aircraft carriers, submarines, amphibious ships, and auxiliaries. The United States Coast Guard also used this term in the 1980s for the modernization of its Hamilton-class cutters.
USS George K. MacKenzie, after her FRAM I conversion
Two Gearing-class destroyers, as delivered and after FRAM I.
Nicholas, a Fletcher-class destroyer, after her FRAM II upgrade.
Bryce Canyon with FRAM II-modernised Lyman K. Swenson, Collett and Blue. Shelton, closest to camera, received FRAM I (note the ASROC launcher on the mid-deck).
Gearing-class destroyer
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The Gearing class was a series of 98 destroyers built for the U.S. Navy during and shortly after World War II. The Gearing design was a minor modification of the Allen M. Sumner class, whereby the hull was lengthened by 14 ft (4.3 m) at amidships, which resulted in more fuel storage space and increased the operating range.
USS Hanson in FRAM configuration, 4 August 1971
George K. MacKenzie, Leonard F. Mason, Henry W. Tucker, and Rupertus under the Story Bridge, Brisbane, Australia in January 1958.
Norris after FRAM II.