The Me 410 Hornisse was developed in 1942 to replace the Me 210 and was essentially similar to the late-production examples of this latter aircraft. In addition to embodying in its design all the modifications incorporated into the Me 210 - including the new cockpit canopy, lengthened fuselage and wing leading-edge slots - it introduced Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines. Initial tests were carried out with aircraft converted from Me 210As and these were followed by a true Me 410 prototype which flew for the first time at the end of 1942.

Demonstrating far more attractive characteristics than those of its forerunner, the Me 410 was ordered into production and some 1,100 were built before construction came to an end in September 1944. Versions included the Me 410A-1 high-performance light bomber; A-1/U-2 fighter conversion of the A-1; A-2 destroyer; and A-3 photo-reconnaissance aircraft; similar B-1, B-2 and B-3 versions; B-5 torpedo bomber; and B-6 anti-shipping strike aircraft. A number of variants of the foregoing were built, but several projected versions failed to enter production.