Named for the constellation, Pegasus was originally intended to be named Delphinus, but during development and discussion it began being nicknamed 'dull-penis', so the name was dropped. In service it earned the nickname 'Pegasorous'. As this vessel was constructed several years before the rest of the class, there are some minor differences, notably in the fire-control systems of the respective craft. In 1982, the last of the US Navy's hydrofoil boats was commissioned. On 30 September 1981, Pegasus was involved in a collision with Newport (LST-1179), but was later repaired.