The class is sometimes referred to as the Coontz class, since Coontz was first to be designed and built as a guided-missile ship (under project SCB 142), whereas the previous three ships were designed as all-gun units (under SCB 129) and converted later.

The turbines were intended to produce 85,000 shaft horsepower (63,000 kW) to reach the designed speed of 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph).

The Farragut class had a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

Close-range anti-submarine defense was provided by two triple 12.75-inch (324 mm) Mk 32 torpedo tubes.

The primary armament of the Farraguts was the Terrier anti-aircraft missile designed to defend the carrier battle group.