The Missouri (SSN 780) is the seventh Virginia-class submarine and the fifth ship in the United States Navy named in honor of the U.S. state of Missouri. The first USS Missouri was a steam/sail warship commissioned in 1842, only 21 years after Missouri was admitted into the union. In the midst of the Civil War, the Confederate Navy commissioned a paddle-wheel ironclad named CSS Missouri that served as a minelayer and troop transport. It was captured by the union in 1865, but never commissioned by the U.S. Navy.

The build contract was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Conn., on August 14, 2003.

September 27, 2008 The keel was laid for the Pre-Commissioning Unit Missouri at GDEB’s Quonset Point facility in North Kingstown, R.I. Mrs. Rebecca W. Gates, the wife of Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates, is the ship's sponsor.

December 5, 2009 PCU Missouri was christened during an 11:00 a.m. EDT ceremony at Electric Boat in Groton. Cmdr. Timothy Rexrode is the prospective commanding officer.

April 16, 2010 The crew of SSN 780 moved aboard the submarine for the first time on "In Service Day" in Groton, Conn.

July 4, The Missouri returned to Electric Boat shipyard after completing the two-day alpha sea trials.

July 31, USS Missouri was commissioned during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

October 18, SSN 780 is currently moored at the Naval Ordnance Test Unit in Port Canaveral for a "shakedown", a series of tests, adjustments and instrument calibrations the submarine is undergoing before it embarks on its first official mission.

January 21, 2011 General Dynamics Electric Boat receives a $44.3 million cost-plus-fixed fee contract modification for the USS Missouri’s Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). Work will include long lead time material procurement as well and is scheduled to be complete by January 2012.

August 12, The Virginia-class attack submarine departed dry-dock after various maintenance work and several system upgrades. USS Missouri arrived at Electric Boat shipyard January 25.

December 19, SSN 780 returned to Naval Submarine Base New London after sea trials, successfully completing the PSA one month ahead of schedule.

March 12, 2012 USS Missouri arrived at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., after a four-day transit from the Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center in the Bahamas.

April 20, Cmdr. Michael D. Luckett relieved Cmdr. Timothy Rexrode as CO of the Missouri during a change-of-command ceremony on board the sub at NSB New London.