The US has delayed an intercontinental ballistic missile test scheduled for next week, defence officials say.

BBC: North Korea tension prompts US missile test delay

Repeated failures of the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile caused embarrassment for Russia, though two successful tests were reportedly conducted last year.

BBC: Russia plans $650bn defence spend up to 2020

In June 1992, President Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed a "framework agreement" (1) in Washington that provided for the complete elimination of all multiple-warheaded land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (MIRVed ICBM) systems.

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Before joining Linear, he taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he used a surplus flight computer from an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile to research the control of fermentation for use in fields such as pharmaceutical production.

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From August 1998 to February 2000, Myers was commander-in-chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command, and commander of Air Force Space Command, responsible for U.S. defense via space and intercontinental ballistic missile operations.

CNN: Specials

India has said its 2, 000-2, 500km-range Agni missile is now ready for deployment, and it may be developing an intercontinental-range missile under cover of its Russian-assisted space programme.

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