The Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 45, first flight on 15 January 1937, was a French medium bomber used during World War II. It was a low-wing monoplane, all metal in construction, equipped with a retractable undercarriage and powered by two 1,100 hp Hispano-Suiza engines.
The LeO 451 was conceived as a second-generation strategic bomber for the new French Air Force. In contrast to its predecessors which relied on machine guns for protection, the emphasis was placed on high-speed high-altitude cruise. The expectation was that high speed would force enemy fighters into tail-chase attacks and to that effect the aircraft was designed with a rear-firing cannon with an unobstructed rear arc of fire thanks to the twin rudders.
It was a very effective bomber, but it appeared too late to give any substantial contribution to the war effort. Although designed before World War II, it remained in service until September 1957.
