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The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe (German: "Swallow") was the world's first operational Turbojet fighter aircraft. It was produced in World War II and saw action starting in 1944 in bomber/reconnaissance and fighter/interceptor roles. Officially named Schwalbe because the swallow, when in a dive, is one of the fastest birds known. German pilots nicknamed it the "Turbo," while the Allies called it the "Stormbird." While the Me 262 had a negligible impact on the course of the war (approximately 150 Allied aircraft losses for 100 Me 262 losses), its design was highly influential on postwar aircraft development.