High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Phoenix (SSN-702), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named "Phoenix" and the third to be named after the city, Phoenix, Arizona (the first two were named after the mythological bird). The contract to build her 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 30 July 1977. She was launched on 8 December 1979 sponsored by Mrs. John J. Rhodes, and commissioned on 19 December 1981, with Captain William C. Rothert in command.