adjective

• Of or relating to a launching system in which aircraft or missiles are launched from a mobile platform, without travelling along it for any significant distance, using rocket boosters as a source of thrust; (also) designating such a launch or launcher, or the (short) fittings supporting the rocket boosters.

  In a zero-length launching system the very first motion of the aircraft or missile causes it to disconnect from the launcher. In later use also used to contrast launches from mobile platforms with those requiring a runway.