The U.S. Air Force needed a compact, lightweight, accurate rifle for the new XB-70 manned bomber aircrew's survival kits.

[3] Due to the cancellation of the XB-70 fleet, though, the Air Force never received funding to buy more than the original 12 test models.

[2][4][5] However, adoption of the MA-1 established ArmaLite as a recognized firearms company, leading to several other rifle designs of varying success (e.g., the AR-7, AR-10 and AR-15).

The AR-5 was unique for being able to be disassembled with all working parts, plus a basic survival kit, stored within the stock, which was 14 inches (36 cm) long and thus able to fit in Air Force bailout packs.

Released in 1959 as a civilian survival weapon and in continuous production since then, the AR-7 is related to the AR-5 in terms of its overall layout and retains the same modular takedown, storage in stock, and the ability to float.