Me 163

German aircraft

Also known as: Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was a German rocket-powered aircraft developed during World War II. It was a tailless fighter designed to intercept Allied bombers. Powered by a hydrogen peroxide rocket engine developed by Hellmuth Walter, the Komet possessed spectacular performance, achieving high speeds. However, its operational effectiveness was limited by a very short range and ineffective armament. Additionally, the rocket propellants were unstable, leading to frequent explosions upon landing, making it an operational failure.1

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Alexander M. Lippisch
…liquid-fuel rocket aircraft (the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet fighter, first used by the Luftwaffe in 1944). After World War II Lippisch moved to the United States and in 1965 established the Lippisch Research Corporation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was an early proponent of the delta-wing configuration.
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…liquid-fuel rocket aircraft (the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet fighter, first used by the Luftwaffe in 1944). After World War II Lippisch moved to the United States and in 1965 established the Lippisch Research Corporation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was an early proponent of the delta-wing configuration.
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military aircraft
Subsonic flight
…rocket propulsion, fielding the tailless Me 163 Komet in the final months of the war. Powered by a hydrogen peroxide rocket designed by Hellmuth Walter, the Komet had spectacular performance, but its short range and ineffective cannon armament made it an operational failure. In addition, the propellants were unstable and…
Read More
…rocket propulsion, fielding the tailless Me 163 Komet in the final months of the war. Powered by a hydrogen peroxide rocket designed by Hellmuth Walter, the Komet had spectacular performance, but its short range and ineffective cannon armament made it an operational failure. In addition, the propellants were unstable and…
Read More