It was designed and developed at TsKB (hence its internal designation of TsKB-11) as a fighter capable of performing ground attack missions when fitted various types of weaponry. Initially it was going to be powered by a liquid-cooled V12 engine but, due to problems with its development, the Wright R-1820 radial one was chosen instead. It flew for the first time on 30th September 1934 and testing began in early 1935 with state acceptance trials taking place between May and November.
In spite of some structural weaknesses that were discovered during those trials, the type was ordered into production and deliveries to the Soviet Air Force began in spring 1937. Some of the problems encountered, like excessive vibration and a poor field of view for the rear gunner, were never fixed, and the various fixes rendered the aircraft heavier, adding around 160 extra Kg (350lb). It was produced until 1939.
It was a conventional single-bay biplane of mixed construction with cable-retracted main landing gear and was powered by a single Shvetsov M-25 radial engine which yielded 700hp of power. It was armed with two 7.62mm (0.3in) ShKAS forward-firing machine guns placed in the wings and another ShKAS placed in the observer's position. It could carry up to 40Kg (88lb) of bombs.
The pilot and the tail gunner sat in tandem cockpits with the pilot's one open and the gunner's one partially closed. To increase the rear gunner's arc of fire, the rear cockpit was set lower in the fuselage than the pilot's.
Apparently some sources claimed that the type saw combat in the Battle of Khalkin Gol against Japan during May to September 1939, and even in the Winter War against Finland in November 1939. However, there isn't any conclusive evidence of the type taking place in any of the battles as it was deemed obsolete by mid-1940.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kochyerigin_DI-6
2. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters
3. https://forum.valka.cz/topic/view/143262
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