Good point, Cowboy, about the hull #. Thank you for your kind words, I love my lil frigates, and the Knox would have been replaced by the Kendricks. Again, enjoy!
From you back story of the type and the date on the initial vessels, I don't think they would be replacing what is relatively new ships on the early 70's. I am referring to of course to the Knox class. These ships were completed from 1969 to 1974.
You have your ships coming online in 1976. That would make your new class a contempruary to the Knox. That is the reason that i believe the ships would be more of a replacement for the older Bronstein class (1963) and the Garcia class (1964-1968). These two ships were designed under the FRAM program as new builds to operate the DASH system.
The DASH, was starting to show trouble in the later stages of the Garcia production run, so most of the later ships of this class operated a LAMPS II chopper.
Now back to the Kendrick class, Your ships ASW suite seems to be on par with what was carried on the Knox when they would first go to sea....mixed with the sensor suite of the O. H. Perry. This proves to be a good combination by the way. I like having this ship in my database.
I like this class and I enjoy it, but now it is more a follow on to the Knox then a replacement.