BAE SYSTEMS Achieves World-Class Systems/Software Rating.

SAN DIEGO -- BAE Systems is the first company to be rated Level 5 in systems and software engineering maturity using the new Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI([R])) version 1.2.

The Level 5 rating under the just-introduced CMMI version 1.2 was awarded to the company's National Security Solutions unit by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Level 5 is the highest SEI rating, and indicates that the company is operating at the "optimizing level" in its systems and software development processes. BAE Systems is the first company to be appraised under the version 1.2 rating.

"This is a tremendous achievement for our organization," said Bill Ballhaus, president of National Security Solutions for BAE Systems in San Diego. "Mature systems and software engineering processes are essential to our ability to leverage domain expertise and best practices, reduce defects, improve productivity, and enhance overall competitiveness."

National Security Solutions serves the defense and intelligence communities with solutions for, imagery exploitation and analysis, systems integration, targeting, data fusion and archiving, and mission planning.

Capability Maturity Model Integration was developed by a coalition of industry, government, and the Software Engineering Institute to objectively appraise the full range of an organization's engineering capabilities.

The Systems and Software Consortium Inc., of Herndon, Va., a nonprofit partnership of industry, government, and academia, conducted the two-week independent assessment at the company's San Diego facility. A team of 10 appraisers reviewed BAE Systems' documented processes and interviewed all levels of systems practitioners, software developers, program managers, and company management.

"Once again, BAE Systems has demonstrated its dedication and skill at the use of process improvement as a tool to improve quality, productivity and to reduce costs," said John Sheckler, SSCI process improvement lead administrator. "As a leading supplier of defense and security-related products, BAE Systems leads the way in adopting the most recent improvements in CMMI development."

In addition to the San Diego site, a number of BAE Systems facilities have achieved CMMI Level 5 certification under previous guidelines: Santa Clara, Calif.; Wayne, N.J.; Reston, Va.; and Minneapolis. Additionally, the following BAE Systems facilities have achieved CMMI Level 3 certification: Nashua, N.H.; Yonkers, N.Y.; Manassas and McLean, Va.; Pomona, Calif.; and Lansdale, Pa. Approximately 51 percent of BAE Systems engineers in the United States work at a CMMI Level 3 or 5, with about 32 percent working at the highest Level 5.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier trans-Atlantic defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $22 billion, excluding the group's former interest in Airbus.