ArmaLite was
first established on
October 1, 1954. It was a division of the
Fairchild Engine and
Airplane Corporation. Shortly after its
creation the
U.S. Air Force put out a
contract to create a new survival rifle to replace the
standard one. ArmaLite
developed a .22
caliber rifle, and naming it the AR-5 Hornet Survival Rifle. The Air Force
evaluated it and
quickly chose it as the new standard
survival rifle, it was designated the MA-1.
ArmaLite developed the AR-15, which was later licensed to Colt. The AR-15 was made using new metal alloys and durable plastics. The U.S. military had accepted this design and adopted it in 1969 and re-designated it the M-16, which is now the standard issue infantry rifle.