Conceptually representing evolution of the TB-3 bomber, the ANT-16 was designed under the doctrine that size and payload were more important for a bomber than speed because it would be able to protect itself with defensive armament.
Secara konseptual mewakili evolusi bomber TB-3, ANT-16 dirancang di bawah doktrin bahwa ukuran dan muatan yang lebih penting bagi seorang pembom daripada kecepatan karena akan mampu melindungi diri dengan persenjataan defensif.