Businessweek

TASER International, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of electronic control devices (ECDs). The company sells its products to approximately 16,000 law enforcement agencies. Products The company makes ECDs that use its proprietary Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) effects for two primary types of market segments, including the law enforcement, military, corrections, and professional security markets; and the consumer market. Its products use a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy and propel 2 small probes that are attached to the ECD by insulated conductive wires with lengths ranging from 15 to 35 feet. The company’s ECDs transmit electrical pulses along the wires and into the body affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system. Law Enforcement, Military, Corrections, and Professional Security Products For the law enforcement, military, corrections, and professional security markets, the company manufactures four hand-held ECD product lines and has also incorporated its technology into various other product line extensions. The company’s primary product includes the TASER X26 with Shaped Pulse Technology. Shaped Pulse Technology is a refined energy pulse that concentrates a small portion of energy to first penetrate any barriers while the majority of the energy flows into the target freely after the barrier has been penetrated. The TASER X26 product line consists of the TASER X26, various cartridges, a digital power magazine—the replaceable battery power supply, data download software and equipment, extended warranties, and various holstering options and accessories. The company offers TASER X2 that features a second shot for instant miss recovery, dual lasers for improved accuracy, improved power magazine with approximately 500 firings and a warning arc. The X2 also integrates with EVIDENCE.COM to enable electronic and automated management of the device. The company also offers the TASER X3, a new multi-shot ECD that could engage three separate targets, display warning arcs while loaded, deliver a calibrated NMI pulse. It also offers its fourth law enforcement product line, the ADVANCED TASER M26. The ADVANCED TASER M26 product line consists of the ADVANCED TASER M26, various cartridges, rechargeable batteries, a battery charging system, data download software and equipment, extended warranties, and various holstering options and accessories. ECD Product Line Extensions The TASER eXtended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP) is a self-contained, wireless (non-tethered) ECD that deploys from a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. It delivers an impact distraction to the suspect and a similar NMI bio-effect as the company’s X26 handheld ECD, and could be delivered to a maximum effective range of 100 feet (30.48 meters). The battery supply is integrated into the chassis and provides the power to the XREP round. The TASER X12 is a Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun modified for improved functioning with the XREP. It is an integrated less-lethal platform. The TASER X12 includes Radial Key ammunition technology, which is a proprietary, patented design to prevent the TASER X12 from deploying lethal 12-gauge rounds, eliminating the possibility of an end user loading lethal ammunition during high-stress situations. The TASER Shockwave security system is the first generation of TASER Remote Area Denial technology allowing for increased capability during hostile situations through the use of the company’s NMI technology. Consumer Products The company’s primary consumer product for the personal defense market includes the TASER C2 ECD. Its sale and marketing of the TASER C2 promotes responsible ownership and aims to prevent misuse by keeping the device inactive until the owner has completed identification verification. The company also manufactures the TASER X26C and ADVANCED TASER M26C, devices for use by consumers. The TASER X26C is developed in conjunction with the law enforcement TASER X26 version. The ADVANCED TASER M26C is designed after the law enforcement ADVANCED TASER M26 version. The M18 and M18L are designed after the la