In the autumn of 1914, the Joint-Stock Company of the Russian-Baltic Carriage Factory commissioned Igor Sikorsky to develop a 1-2-seat high-speed training aircraft for the needs of army and naval aviation. It received the designation C-16 and was designed by the designer in 1 month.
The S-16 was an all-wood biplane with a canvas skin. The chassis could be wheeled, ski or float. The Le Rhône 9J engine was installed. The maximum speed is 125 km/h. It was armed with a single 7.7 mm Vickers machine gun.
The plane was quickly re-qualified as a fighter to accompany the Ilya Muromets bombers. Only 18 S-16 units were produced. Problems with the engines — they were not enough or they were less powerful-did not allow to produce more. It was in service with the Russian Imperial Air Force, and later with the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Fleet.