The Allen M. Sumner class was a group of 58 destroyers built by the United States during World War II.

The Allen M. Sumner design was extended 14 feet (4.3 m) amidships to become the Gearing class, which was produced in larger numbers but did not see significant service in World War II.

Completed in 1943–45, four Sumners were lost in the war and two were damaged so badly they were scrapped, but the surviving ships served in the US Navy into the 1970s.

See also the Robert H. Smith-class destroyer minelayer (DM), twelve of which were built on hulls originally intended as Allen M. Sumners.

The Gearing-class destroyers were of the same design, modified with a 14-foot (4.3 m) midship extension to carry more fuel to extend the ships' range.

In addition, Frank E. Evans was split in half in a collision with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, and never repaired.

[3] Ships that did not receive FRAM were typically upgraded with Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes in exchange for the K-guns, but retained Hedgehog and one depth charge rack.

[4] Lacking ASROC, the Allen M. Sumners were left without a standoff ASW capability and were decommissioned 1970–73, with most being transferred to foreign navies.

The FRAM Sumners were effectively replaced as ASW ships by the Knox-class frigates (destroyer escorts prior to 1975), which were commissioned 1969–74 & carried a piloted helicopter, typically the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite & ASROC.

While one was merely to provide spare parts to keep the rest of the fleet serviceable, the other three would go on and serve through the Falklands War, in which they would take a minor role.