USS Key West (SSN-722), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Key West, Florida. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 13 August 1981 and her keel was laid down on 6 July 1983. She was launched on 20 July 1985 sponsored by Mrs. Virginia Conn, and commissioned on 12 September 1987 with Commander Warren Lipscomb, Jr. in command. She is the fourth Los Angeles - class submarine equipped with the vertical launch system (VLS) capable of carrying 12 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles (TLAM).