The AR-5 was the basis of the MA-1 aircrew survival rifle, adopted by the US Air Force in 1956, as a replacement for the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon. The M6 is a superposed ("over-under") combination weapon with a .22 Hornet rifle barrel over a .410 shotgun barrel. While there is an advantage to such a combination, the AR-5 has the advantage of rapid fire, using the same .22 Hornet cartridge as the M6's rifle barrel. The AR-5 was developed by ArmaLite, a division of Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation. The AR-5 was submitted in response to an Air Force request shortly after the division was established on October 1, 1954.