The contract to build "Dallas" was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 31 October 1973 and her keel was laid down on 9 October 1976. She was launched on 28 April 1979 sponsored by Mrs. Rita Crocker Clements, wife of former Deputy Secretary of Defense William P. Clements, Jr., and commissioned on 18 July 1981 with then-Commander Donald R. Ferrier in command. "Dallas" was the first submarine of the "Los Angeles" class to be originally built with an all-digital fire control (tracking and weapon) system and sonar system.