The P-16/A utilized a hydrostatic drive system to power the rear wheels. The engine and main hydraulic system were located in the rear. The main hydraulic system provided fluid pressure for the drive system, the fire extinguishment system and the power steering system. The driver compartment was located at the left forward end of the vehicle and contained all controls for activating the firefighting systems. It also contained the controls for arming the firefighting systems. The main tank, containing 375 gallons of AFFF solution with 365 usable gallons, was between the vehicle’s front and rear axles. The AFFF extinguisher outlets consisted of a driver-operated turret (125 gpm), a 100-foot AFFF hose line (60 gpm), and one 80-foot hose of the twin-agent handline (60 gpm). The other twin-agent handline expelled Halon 1211 at 5 pounds per second (pps) from a 400-pound-capacity tank located alongside the operator. Overall, the vehicle measured 40 by 65 by 175 inches.

The size and maneuverability -- a 16-foot, 4-inch outside corner turning radius -- of the P-16/A was comparable to an MD-3 tow tractor with a rear-mounted SB/TAU-II. Full power steering allowed the operator to pump and drive simultaneously; therefore, the most effective fire extinguishment system of the vehicle could be fully manned by one person. A fitting for nursing from a deck-edge 2 ½-inch hose line was provided for tank replenishment or for continuous pumping.

The P-16/A has been replaced by the P-25 firefighting vehicle