The contract to build Boston was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 10 December 1973 and her keel was laid down on 11 August 1978. She was launched on 19 April 1980 sponsored by Mrs. Edward Hidalgo, and commissioned on 30 January 1982, with Captain Jon M. Barr in command. In 1998 Boston participated in a UNITAS South America deployment.