Three Russian companies: Morinformsystem-Agat, Radar-MMS and Ilyushin have signed an agreement on creation of aviation missile strike system on the basis of Il-76 aircraft, Lenta.ru reports.

The new system will be capable of launching rockets of “Klab-K” system. According to general designer of Morinformsystem-Agat, Georgy Antsev, “Klab” will be developed in the aviation variant on the basis of naval one; the system “may be deployed and used from the carrier aircraft” as well as its naval analogue.

The first test launches of Klab’s aviation variant are expected in late 2011 - 2012. The companies, who have signed the agreement, will develop aviation missile strike system using their own funds, but later they hope to start using budget financing, since aviation “Klab” may seem interesting to the Russian Ministry of Defense. According to Antsev, at present the state program in the area of arms does not assume the creation of the aviation system.

"Klab-K" is a container system of missile armament. It may be deployed in standard naval freight container and it is intended for engaging a wide range of air and ground targets. The system has a universal platform - "Klab-K" may be deployed on the shores, ships of different classes, trains and trucks. The system may be equipped with ZМ-54КE, ZМ-14КE and Kh-35UE cruising missiles, intended for engaging surface and ground targets.

The sea-based system has been demonstrated for the first time at navy exhibition МVМS-2011. It may also be seen at MAKS-2011 in Zhukovsky.