To reduce reliance on runways, a Zero-Length Launch (ZELL) system was conceived to blast F-104s into the sky with booster rockets. The concept worked well but was prohibitively expensive. This aircraft carried out eight ZELL take-offs at Edwards AFB in 1963, coded DA-102, and another seven at Lechfeld in 1966.

First flew in 1960. Coded as DA-102. Modified for the ZELL (Zero-Length Launch) program in 1962 and tested at Edwards AFB, CA. Shipped to West Germany in 1965 and coded as DB-127 for further testing at Lechfeld. Modified to standard configuration as 2002 in 1968 after the program was cancelled. Withdrawn from use in 1984 and preserved at Karlsruhe. Modified back to ZELL configuration in 1995 and preserved at Gatow as DB-127.

Displayed at the famous Luftwaffenmuseum, rocket launch!

F-104G ZeLL (zero length launch).

Arguably one of the most interesting exhibits at the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr Gatow. The ZLL (zero-length launch) version was a rocket-assisted take-off forerunner of STOL/VTOL aircraft being intended to get airborne from a mobile launch vehicle in the event that home base runway had been put out of action. The system actually worked quite well but was undermined and eventually discarded due to the high cost per launch.

To reduce reliance on runways, a Zero-Length Launch (ZELL) system was conceived to blast F-104s into the sky from trucks with booster rockets. Apparently this worked well but was prohibitively expensive. This F-104G was built by Lockheed in 1960. It carried out eight ZELL take-offs at Edwards AFB in 1963, coded DA-102, and seven more at Lechfeld in 1966.