The documents (pdf), released on Oct. 27, stated that the United States will "retire the B83-1 gravity bomb," and will "cancel the nuclear-armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM-N) program."

During a news conference, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced questions about retiring the two programs, arguing that "our inventory of nuclear weapons is significant."

"I do not believe this sends a message to Putin," Austin told a reporter. "He understands what our capability is."

The Biden administration released three documents on Oct. 27: the National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review. Together, they lay out the military's priorities for the coming years and underscore that Washington plans to maintain "a very high bar for nuclear employment."

During the Trump administration, the Pentagon made a decision in 2018 to develop a new nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile, with a focus on the threat from Russia.