it replaced, this class features larger and more capable sensor suites making it an ideal command and control platform, and unusual for this class of vessel (and more akin to an air warfare destroyer (AWD) features two large sensor masts. In fact, it has been proposed that the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (Aegis BDM), as fitted to the AWDs, be fitted to this ships within class to further increase their multi-mission capabilities. In recent years the USN has put greater emphasis upon the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV), and the San Antonio class makes an excellent candidate as an operations platform, and since 2013 the RQ-21 Blackjack, launched from a portable catapult, has been operated from several ships in this class including USS San Antonio and . In early 2021, was involved in trials with Martin UAV for its V-Bat VTOL UAV. Future vessels There are a number of issues facing the USN's capabilities for amphibious warfare, sealift and multi-mission operations: Decrease in funding: budget cuts are expected in financial years 2024 and 2025 that will be result in the navy facing a "blackhole" in that they will not have sufficient funding to fulfil their proposed 5-year construction plan due to commence in 2025. Reduction in sealift capacity: In October 2022 the US Navy failed to meet its readiness goal for amphibious ships of 80%, with only 45% of the fleet available. Furthermore, the navy and the Marine Corps have differing views upon the navy's sealift capacity; while there are currently 32 vessels in the amphibious fleet the USMC is pushing for 38 vessels while the USN is looking to operate only 24-28 vessels to meet budget constraints. Current and future capacity is being reduced by, or under threat of reduction by, the following changes: Increase command & control and information gathering & sharing capabilities: Among the navy's priorities is increasing the command and control capabilities of its amphibious assault fleet to take advantage of the increased amount of data the F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter, operated by the Navy and the Marine Corps, can gather. However, while this aircraft's systems can interface with those of the Blue Ridge-class ACS and San Antonio-class LPDs, it cannot with the , and with seven vessels of this class currently in service, is the second largest class of amphibious ship in the USN behind the