For Immediate Release
SCOTTSDALE, AZ, July 15, 2003 - TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq: TASR and TASRW), a market leader in advanced less-lethal weapons, announces that it has extended the pre-release validation plan for beta testing of the TASER X26 conducted energy weapon to 90 days to accommodate additional quality assurance testing of recent design enhancements and to ensure consistent, reliable performance.
“Since we announced the TASER X26 product on May 30, 2003, the response has been overwhelming. Over 500 police departments have requested test and evaluation units, two major departments have already issued purchase orders for full deployments, and approximately 1,300 units have already been ordered,” stated Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International.
“The X26 pre-release validation plan is the most extensive we have ever undertaken. It includes drop tests, holster retention and performance tests, battery life tests, battery life calculation validation, time keeping accuracy, warranty tracking, software processing validation, field reprogrammability validation, temperature testing, vibration testing, firing of the high voltage components through over 1 million individual spark discharges and more. We are fully committed to shipping rock-solid, fully tested TASER X26 units right from the start and it is our highest priority that the weapon’s design, quality and reliability not be compromised given the life-saving nature of the situations where officers will rely on the TASER X26. We are, therefore, taking the extra time necessary to complete extensive validation testing of the new design enhancements,” stated Smith.
“We plan to begin production shipments of the TASER X26 product in September 2003. Our scheduled production for September is sold out as of this date and, accordingly, orders that are confirmed now are scheduled to ship in September and early October. New orders will be shipped in the fourth quarter 2003,” continued Smith.
“The launch of the X26 and our recent acquisition of Tasertron, our former competitor has further accelerated our market momentum. Sales and shipments of our flagship ADVANCED TASER M26 have continued into the third quarter at a record pace,” concluded Smith.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International, Inc. provides advanced less-lethal weapons for use in the law enforcement, private security and personal defense markets. Our flagship ADVANCED TASER® product has reduced officer injuries by over 80% in the Orange County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, and reduced suspect injuries by over 72% in the Phoenix (AZ) Police Department. The ADVANCED TASER is saving lives, reducing liability and creating safer jobs in over 2,400 law enforcement agencies worldwide.
For further information contact Steve Tuttle, Director of Government Affairs at Steve@TASER.com or call 800-978-2737 ext. 2006. Visit the company’s website at www.TASER.com for facts and video and preview www.TASERX26.com for hints to the TASER X26 technology.