It also heavily influenced several designs, such as the Sukhoi Su-9 (1946) and Nakajima Kikka. While German use of the aircraft ended with the close of World War II, a small number were operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force until 1951. In the end, the Me 262 had a negligible impact on the course of the war as a result of its late introduction and the consequently small numbers put in operational service. Armament production within Germany was focused on more easily manufactured aircraft. Attacks by Allied forces on fuel supplies during the deteriorating late-war situation also reduced the effectiveness of the aircraft as a fighting force. Strategic materials shortages and design compromises on the Junkers Jumo 004 axial-flow turbojet engines led to reliability problems. The Allies countered its effectiveness in the air by attacking the aircraft on the ground and during takeoff and landing. Me 262 pilots claimed a total of 542 Allied aircraft shot down, although higher claims are sometimes made.

One of the most advanced aviation designs in operational use during World War II, the Me 262's roles included light bomber, reconnaissance and experimental night fighter versions. The Me 262 was faster and more heavily armed than any Allied fighter, including the British jet-powered Gloster Meteor. Design work started before World War II began, but problems with engines, metallurgy and top-level interference kept the aircraft from operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944. The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed Schwalbe (German: ' Swallow') in fighter versions, or Sturmvogel (German: ' Storm Bird') in fighter-bomber versions, was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft.

Me2 advanced weapon training