The ships were designed primarily as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platforms. Their main anti-submarine sensor was the large bow-mounted AN/SQS-26CX low-frequency scanning sonar, operating as an active sonar at a frequency of about 3.5 kHz and passively at 1.5–4 kHz. The active modes of operation included direct path, to a range of about , bottom bounce, and convergence zone, which could give ranges of up to about , well outside the capability of ASROC, and requiring the use of a helicopter to exploit. An eight-round ASROC launcher (with 16 missiles carried) was fitted between the gun turret and the bridge, backed up by four fixed Mark 32 anti-submarine torpedo tubes. A flight deck and hangar for operating the DASH drone helicopter was fitted aft.