Developed during the latter stages of the Second World War, the M16 was the first spin-stabilized 4.5-inch (114 mm) rocket to be standardized for production by the United States Army.

[3] The United States Marine Corps developed launching systems for the M16 rocket as well, capable of being fitted to standard 3/4 and 2.5-ton trucks.

[6] During the Cold War years, various state and privately owned scientific institutions were engaged in the research and development projects, concerning development and enhancement of the U.S. Army spin-stabilized rockets, to mention California Institute of Technology, North Carolina State College of Agriculture of the University of North Carolina.

[7] A unit of "Honeycombs" was deployed to the European Theater of Operations in May 1945, and saw limited action in Czechoslovakia before the end of the war; only being used in a single engagement.

[8] Two of five battalions equipped with the M16 were deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations, being stationed on Okinawa and in the Philippines, however the war ended before these units could see combat.