The Junkers Ju 88 was a German twin-engined multirole combat aircraft designed and manufactured by Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke before and during the Second World War. Initially conceived as a high-speed Schnellbomber, it was developed into a level and dive bomber, torpedo bomber, maritime-strike aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, heavy fighter, night fighter and ground-attack aircraft. It was also used as the explosive lower component of several Mistel composite-aircraft combinations. The Ju 88 became one of the most important and versatile aircraft operated by the German Luftwaffe.