The South Dakota (SSN 790) is the 17th Virginia-class attack submarine and the third United States Navy ship named for the state of South Dakota. The contract to build her was awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat division on December 22, 2008, and the construction began in March 2013.

April 4, 2016 The keel for the future USS South Dakota was laid down during a ceremony at GDEB’s Quonset Point facility in North Kingstown, R.I.

October 14, 2017 The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) South Dakota was christened during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at the Electric Boat shipyard's assembly bay in Groton, Conn. Mrs. Deanie Dempsey, wife of the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey (Army), served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. Ronald L. Withrow, Jr., is the prospective commanding officer.

August 28, 2018 PCU South Dakota returned to Electric Boat shipyard after underway for the first time to conduct Alpha sea trials; Underway again from Aug. 30- Sept. ?.

September 24, General Dynamic's Electric Boat officialy delivered the future USS South Dakota to U.S. Navy.

November 2, Cmdr. Craig E. Litty relieved Cmdr. Ronald L. Withrow, Jr., as CO of the South Dakota during a change-of-command ceremony at Dealey Center theater on Naval Submarine Base New London.

From December 15-17, the South Dakota conducted acoustic trials off the coast of Port Everglades, Florida; Returned to Groton on Dec. 20; Underway again on Jan. 9.

January 26, 2019 PCU South Dakota moored at Pier 6N on Naval Submarine Base New London in preparation for its commissioning ceremony.

February 2, USS South Dakota was commissioned during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony at NSB New London in Groton, Connecticut.

February 5, SSN 790 recently departed homeport in support of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) CSG's COMPTUEX; Moored at Wharf D2 in Naval Station Mayport, Fla., from Feb. 8-14; Returned to Groton on Feb. 2?.

February 27, General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. was awarded an $18,2 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-2104) for planning and execution of USS South Dakota's Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). Work is expected to be completed by December 2020; An adittional $76,2 million, $60 million and $55,1 million contracts were awarded on March 4.

March 5, USS South Dakota moved from Naval Submarine Base New London to Electric Boat shipyard.

July 13, 2020 General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. was awarded a $15,9 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-2104) to perform alterations during the USS South Dakota's PSA.

September 24, 2021 USS South Dakota moored at Pier 10S on Naval Submarine Base New London after underway for sea trials, following an extended two-and-a-half year Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

September 27, Cmdr. Adam I. Zaker relieved Cmdr. Craig E. Litty as CO of the South Dakota during a change-of-command ceremony on board the sub.

October 10, The South Dakota departed Naval Submarine Base New London for routine operations; Brief stop off Groton for personnel transfer on Oct. 12; Moored at Wharf B3 on Naval Station Mayport from Nov. 9-12; Returned home on Nov. 22; Underway again on Nov. 29; Moored at Pier 31S on Dec. 27.

January 9, 2022 USS South Dakota moored at Pier 31S on Naval Submarine Base New London after a two-day underway for routine operations; Underway again on Jan. 22; Brief stop off Groton on Jan. 31; Moored at Pier 8S on Feb. 4; Underway again on March ?.

From March 21-24 and March 27-28, the South Dakota conducted acoustic trials off the coast of Port Everglades, Florida; Brief stop off Naval Station Mayport on April 5; Moored at Pier 31S on April 18; Underway again on June 1.

June 6, The South Dakota made a brief stop off the coast of Groton for personnel transfer; Brief stop off Electric Boat shipyard on June 9; Brief stop off Groton on June 14, 16 and 21st; Returned home on June 24; Underway again on July ?; Moored at Pier 8S on July 5.

July 17, USS South Dakota moored at Pier 31N on Naval Submarine Base New London after an eight-day underway for routine operations; Underway again on Aug. 9; Brief stop off Groton on Aug. 18; Moored at Pier 31S on Aug. 25.?

September 8, The South Dakota moored at Pier 8N on Naval Submarine Base New London after underway for routine operations.

September 21, USS South Dakota departed Groton for its maiden North Atlantic deployment.

December 2, The South Dakota moored at Grotsund Terminal in Port of Tromso, Norway, for a five-day visit.

December 18, USS South Dakota moored at Pier 6N on Naval Submarine Base New London following a three-month deployment.

January 19, 2023 The South Dakota departed Naval Submarine Base New London.

March 20, USS South Dakota moored at Pier 32N on Naval Submarine Base New London.

May 2, The South Dakota made a brief stop off Naval Station Norfolk for personnel transfer; Moored at Pier 31S on May 4; Underway again from July 14-24 and July 31; Brief stop off Groton on Aug. 4; Returned home on Aug. 21; Underway again on Sept. 1.

September 5, The South Dakota made a brief stop off Groton for personnel transfer; Moored at Pier 31S on Sept. 8; Underway again on Sept. 18; Brief stop off Groton on Sept. 26; Returned home on Sept. 29; Underway again on Oct. 16.

December 12, USS South Dakota moored at Pier 6S on Naval Submarine Base New London following a two-month deployment; Moved to Pier 31S on Dec. 14; Underway again on Jan. 23.

January 27, 2024 USS South Dakota made a brief stop off Mayport, Fla., for personnel transfer; Entered the dry-dock at Trident Refit Facility (TRF) on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., on Jan. ?.

February 23, Cmdr. Burnes C. Brown relieved Cmdr. Adam I. Zaker as CO of the SSN 790 during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Chapel.

May 10, USS South Dakota moored at Pier 17N on Naval Submarine Base New London following a three-month maintenance availability at Kings Bay; Underway again on May 14; Brief stop off Groton on May 18; Moored at Pier 6S on May ?.

June 10, The South Dakota moored at Pier 6N on Naval Submarine Base New London after a 12-day underway for routine operations; Underway again on June 17; Moored at Pier 6S for a brief stop on June 20; Brief stop off Groton on July 16, 18 and 23rd; Moored at Pier 31S on July 25; Underway again from Aug. 3-16.

September 19, USS South Dakota departed Groton for a scheduled North Atlantic deployment.