First prototype of amphibian airplane rose into the air in October 1947. After the test program, US Navy has adopted new hydroplane for armament. Hydroplanes were actively used during the Korean war and in Vietnam. In May 1961 new modification of amphibian SHU-16B with new big radar AN/ASP-88, with antenna that could be removed to the tail part and additional search equipment has arrived for armament. In total 464 aircraft were built in various modifications.