The Ju 88R-1 was a night fighter variant based on the Ju 88C-6, upgraded with BMW 801MA engines producing 1600 hp. It featured:

• No Ventral Cupola: removal of the cupola helped reduce drag.
• Enlarged Wheel Wells: To accommodate larger wheels.
• Armament: Carried similar armament to the Ju 88C-6, often with the addition of the "Schräge Musik" (upward-firing cannons) for more effective night operations.
• Radar: Equipped with FuG 202 or FuG 212 Lichtenstein radar systems for detecting enemy bombers at night.

Ju 88R-2

The Ju 88R-2 was an improvement on the Ju 88R-1, featuring more powerful BMW 801D engines producing 1700 hp. Key features included:

• Improved Radio: The FuG 16ZY radio set was added for enhanced communication and coordination in night fighter operations.
• Radar: Retained the night-fighter radar equipment such as FuG 202 or FuG 212.