steve.dick@heraldbulletin.com

Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems, based in the Flagship Enterprise Center, has received $1.6 million to develop improvised ordinance detonator systems for the Department of Defense, according to an announcement from the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th District.

“This underscores Congress’ belief in what we do,” said Pete Bitar, president and CEO of XADS.

Bitar said his company and Flagship put forth a lobbying effort and originally requested $8 million to develop the new system. XADS already has a contract with the DOD for similar systems. The new funding will allow testing and evaluating of the new product, which will clear the road of roadside bombs.

“I truly believe the developing technology of XADS will save lives,” said Pence.

Bitar said the program office of the U.S. Air Force acted officially on XADS’ behalf. “We had to have support from the military.”

XADS received only 20 percent of its initial request, and as a result, “that doesn’t put us in full production swing,” said Bitar.

His goal is to deliver the new product to the Department of Defense by midyear 2008.

“We’re limited by the speed the DOD wants to move,” said Bitar. “We can go faster than they can.”

But it takes time to field major weapons systems, said Bitar. “This is a step toward full production. We’ll build the systems and let them evaluate them.”

The project will allow for use of approximately 35 highly effective, mobile robotically controlled counter IED systems at the disposal of the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan and Iraq, stated a press release. These systems will be used for perimeter security and for finding and detonating all IEDs, mines and other hidden explosives of any type, located on, under or alongside roadways in a safe manner to military service members.

Bitar said in the long term, this helps economic development in the area. Other Anderson businesses will boost their production to assist XADS in developing the ordinance detector systems. “It will have a positive economic impact,” said Bitar.

“I’m pleased on behalf of the American soldier and families in Anderson that we were able to play a small role in this,” said Pence.

Bitar said Pence along with Sens. Dick Lugar and Evan Bayh have all been supportive of XADS.=