[2] The first NPR was ordered by Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Les Aspin, to create a document that comprehensively provides an overview of the United States' nuclear deterrent capabilities in 1993.

[5] This review was led by a group of five members, headed by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear security and Counterproliferation Ashton Carter and Major General John Admire.

[19] With Donald Trump's election came a new nuclear posture review headed by Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

[21] Other things to note from the 2018 NPR include a need to develop sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs) to bolster the SSBN portion of the triad.

The review also states the US's intention to not ratify the CTBT and rejects the idea of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

While it resisted calls to add new warheads or delay retirements, it did not adopt the "sole purpose" policy Biden had favored during his 2020 Presidential campaign.

Like previous NPRs, it affirmed that the roles of U.S. nuclear weapons are to deter attacks, assure allies and partners, and achieve objectives if deterrence fails.