The relatively unknown Latécoère Laté 298 was one of the most successful French aircraft of World War II, serving not only with the French Navy but also extensively with Vichy and Free French forces during the remainder of the conflict. Entering service only a few months before the war began, the all-metal twin float aircraft was designed to undertake a wide variety of roles including torpedo bombing (with the torpedo semi-recessed under the fuselage), dive bombing, conventional bombing, as well as reconnaissance and patrol. By the time of the outbreak of the war, four naval Escadrilles were equipped with Laté 298s although, in the event, most were used (quite successfully) against ground targets against both the Germans and the Italians. After the capitulation, production continued by Breguet for Vichy forces while other surviving units were used by the Free French, sometimes operating with RAF Coastal Command against U-boats and Latér against German coastal installations. A number of units continued to serve in the immediate post-war era.

Maiden flight of the Laté 298.01 took place on 8 May 1936 and entered service with the French Navy in early 1939. Production variants began with the Laté 298A with fixed wings, the 298B for use on seaplane carriers, the 298D with dual controls, fixed wings, and a fourth crew member, and finally the single-unit 298E with an observation gondola. After the surrender, the Laté 298F with dual controls was built by Breguet and were generally similar to the 298D albeit without the dual controls.