BAE SYSTEMS Achieves Outstanding Industry Rating.

WAYNE, N.J. -- BAE Systems North America has achieved another world-class systems and software engineering maturity rating for one of its business units. With more than 60 percent of BAE Systems' software engineers operating in a CMM level 4 or 5 product development environment -- compared to an industry average of approximately 10 percent -- BAE Systems is now further expanding its integrated systems and software maturity using CMMI.

BAE Systems Communication, Navigation, Identification and Reconnaissance (CNIR) in Wayne, N.J., was formally assessed at Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Software Engineering Maturity Level 5 and Systems Engineering / Program Management Maturity Level 3 on Dec. 15. CNIR joins BAE Systems National Security Solutions in San Diego, Calif., and Reston, Va., who have also achieved the Level 5 rating.

Jeff Markel, president of CNIR, said, "I am very excited about the results. The assessment is an invaluable tool that not only validates the maturity of our processes and performance, but helps us to continue to provide the best possible products and services to our customers."

Reaching these CMMI Levels establishes CNIR as an industry leader in product development. CMMI was developed by the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Software Engineering Institute to objectively appraise the full range of an organization's engineering capabilities and is a key discriminator in the defense market.

The Department of Defense requires increasing maturity from its contractors which means less risk on bids, more predictable performance, and an infrastructure and culture that can continually improve development processes and performance.

CNIR completed the CMMI SCAMPI Class A Appraisal over a 25-day period. The appraisal team, led by Marilyn Bush, co-author of the Software Capability Maturity Model, conducted 158 interviews and reviewed more than 800 technical and management artifacts at CNIR facilities in New Jersey, New York and Virginia.

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. BAE Systems' Information & Electronic Systems Integration Sector (IESI) is a leader in situational awareness, electronic attack and defensive systems solutions for the U.S. battle space market.