The single example of the M-156 was designed and built in response to a request from Pan American World Airways to provide a longer-range replacement for the Martin M-130.

Pan Am was seeking to expand its trans-Pacific air service between San Francisco and Hong Kong in 1937.

[2][page needed] After Pan Am selected the Boeing 314,[3] Martin negotiated a deal with the Soviet Union for this aircraft and the M-156 was never put into regular trans-Pacific service.

The sale included a set of production plans, engineering specifications and manufacturing licenses as the Soviets intended to mass-produce this aircraft.

The single M-156/PS-30 was put into regular service in 1940 by Aeroflot and was utilized in the Soviet Far East along the Pacific coast.