Siemens-Schuckert delivered the R.V to the "Riesenflugzeugersatzabteilung" (Rea — "giant aircraft support unit") at Döberitz on 13 August 1916. From there, it was assigned to "Riesenflugzeugabteilung 501" (Rfa 501), and joined the squadron at Vilna on 3 September. It was used operationally until the week of 14 February 1917, when the aircraft was severely damaged during a hard landing at night that fractured its fuselage. The R.V was then dismantled and sent back to Döberitz where it could be used for spare parts for other Siemens-Schuckert bombers. Specific details of several operational missions while with Rfa 501 have survived:   Additionally, the R.V carried out the following raids together with the R.VI: