Conceived in response to demand for an escort fighter for the Ilya Muromets bombers, it was noteworthy in that it was one of the first aircraft to possess synchronisation gear for its 7.7 mm machine gun.

On 17 December 1915, the Russian government placed an order for 18 aircraft, these being delivered in early 1916.

Although highly maneuverable, the S-XVI possessed a comparatively poor performance due to insufficient power.

A further small batch were completed in 1917, with the aircraft being used during the Russian Revolution and staying in service until 1923.

[1] Russian Empire Soviet Russia Ukrainian People's Republic