The San Antonio is the lead ship of the most modern class of amphibious transport docks in the U.S. Navy, commissioned in 2006. Designed to replace the aging Austin-class ships, she combines advanced communication systems, a large well deck, and significant aviation capability in a stealthy, modern hull. She has deployed to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf, serving as the backbone of modern Marine amphibious task forces and proving what 21st-century amphibious warfare looks like.