Zero length launch

Encyclopedia : Z : ZE : ZER : Zero length launch

Types of
take-off and
landing

CTOL
STOL
STOVL
VTOL
VTOHL
V/STOL
CATOBAR
STOBAR

CATO
JATO/RATO
ZLL/ZLTO
During the Cold War in the 1950s, the zero length launch system or zero length take-off system was a system whereby jet fighter-interceptor aircraft were placed upon rockets attached to launch platforms. In the event of a sudden Soviet attack across the German plains that would overrun and devastate Western European airfields, a credible air defence could still be launch from the forests of Germany through strategically placed fighters that launched without a runway by rocket. Similar works were also carried in the USSR. All works upon ZLL aircraft were abandoned due to increasing efficiency of anti-aircraft missiles.

Manned Aircraft Involved in ZLL Testing

Republic F-84D Thunderjet
North American F-100D Super Sabre
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
North American F-108 Rapier - (aircraft program cancelled)

Acronyms: ZLL, ZLTO, ZEL, ZELL

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