The Montana (SSN 794) is the 21st Virginia-class attack submarine and the second United States Navy ship named for the State of Montana. The contract to build her was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding in April 2012 and construction began in May 2015.

May 16, 2018 The keel was laid down for the future USS Montana during a ceremony at Newport News shipyard.

September 12, 2020 The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Montana was christened during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Ms. Sarah M. R. Jewell, the former Secretary of the United States Department of Interior, served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. Michael F. Delaney is the prospective commanding officer.

October 5, The Montana was slowly and meticulously moved from the Module Outfitting Facility (MOF) Bay #1 to a floating dry-dock on Newport News shipyard; Launched on Feb. 8, 2021.

July 16, Cmdr. Jon B. Quimby relieved Cmdr. Michael F. Delaney as CO of the SSN 794 during a change-of-command ceremony on Naval Station Norfolk.

February 4, 2022 PCU Montana moored at Pier 6 on Newport News Shpyard after a three-day underway for Builder's (Alpha) trials; Underway again from Feb. 5-11; Underway for acceptance trials on Feb. 27; Brief stop off Naval Station Norfolk for personnel transfer on March 3; Moored at Pier 6 in Newport News Shpyard on March 5.

March 12, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding officially delivered the PCU Montana to U.S. Navy.

March 15, The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Montana moved from Pier 6, Newport News Shpyard to Berth 5, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway again on April 21; Brief stop off Norfolk for personnel transfer on April 27, 29 and May 13; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 3 on May 18; Moved to Berth 4, Pier 14 on June 17.

June 25, USS Montana was commissioned during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.

June 27, The Montana moved from Pier 14 to Berth 5, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moved to Berth 5, Pier 14 on Oct. 31; Moved back to Berth 5, Pier 3 on Nov. 29; Underway again on Dec. 7.

December 12, General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. was awarded a $50,1 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-2115) for the USS Montana's Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). Work is expected to be completed by November 2023.

December 21, USS Montana moored at Berth 5, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moved "dead-stick" to Dry Dock #2 at Newport News Shipyard on Jan. 18, 2023.

November 6, 2024 USS Montana moored at Berth 1, Pier 5 on Newport News Shipyard after a six-day underway for sea trials; Moved to Berth 6, Pier 4 in Naval Station Norfolk on Nov. 12; Underway for a homeport change to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Nov. 16.

November 19, The Montana moored at TRF's Magnetic Silencing Facility on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., for magnetic treatment (DEPERM); Conducted degaussing runs in Mayport Basin Channel on Nov. 23; Conducted acoustic trials off Port Everglades, Fla., from Nov. 24-27 and Nov. 29- Dec. 2; Brief stop in Port Everglades for personnel transfer on Dec. 2; Transited the Panama Canal southbound on Dec. 12.

December 22, USS Montana made a brief stop in Pearl Harbor for personnel transfer; Moored at Wharf S1B in its new homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Dec. 23; Underway again from Jan. 30- Feb. ?.

March 3, 2025 USS Montana departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in support of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise Black Widow 2025; Brief stop in Pearl Harbor for personnel transfer before moored at Wharf S20 on April 3; Moved to Pier S8 on April 9.

April 11, Rear Adm. Christopher J. Cavanaugh relieved Rear Adm. Richard E. Seif as Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet during a change-of-command ceremony on board the Montana.