The Mitsubishi A7M Reppu ("Strong Gale") was designed as the successor to the Imperial Japanese Navy's A6M Zero, with development beginning in 1942. Performance objectives were to achieve superior speed, climb, diving, and armament over the Zero, as well as better maneuverability. As a result, the wing area and overall size were significantly greater, on par with the American P-47 Thunderbolt. The A7M's allied codename was "Sam".

While it was hoped that the A7M would replace the A6M, production was disrupted by an earthquake in December 1944 in the Nagoya region, and by Allied bombing, with only eight aircraft completed by the end of the war. The type never saw combat.

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