Work on the French jet aircraft initiative had begun in secret during the Second World War, and harnessed research retrieved from Nazi Germany.

[1] According to aviation author John W.R. Taylor, the origins of the SO.6000 can be found during 1943; allegedly, the aircraft is based upon a clandestine research effort conducted during the German occupation of France, headed by the French aeronautics engineer Lucien Servanty.

Shortly after the end of the conflict, the new French government issued a requirement, calling for a total of five prototype aircraft to be constructed for testing purposes.

[2] The development of indigenously designed jet aircraft was seen as of national importance to the government, being intended to symbolise and embody the speedy recovery of France's industrial and military strength.

[1] While having been envisioned from the onset to be powered by a jet engine, the availability of such a powerplant to install upon the aircraft was no straightforward issue.

[3] On 11 November 1946, the first prototype performed its maiden flight, conducted by test pilot Daniel Rastel amid unfavourable weather conditions.

[1] The second prototype was used for static testing only, while the three other aircraft were powered by a license-built model of the British Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engine, the last of these performing its first flight in November 1950.

The type had been rendered obsolete by the rapid pace of advancements, both in terms of jet propulsion specifically and wider aerospace capabilities generally, with numerous jet-powered designs being produced around this timeframe.