ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Dec. 16, 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has announced that its Electronic Systems sector campus in Rolling Meadows, Ill., has been appraised at Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI(R)) Maturity Level 5 -- the highest rating possible -- for a broad range of systems, software and hardware engineering processes with aspects of manufacturing, program management, organizational management, logistics and supply chain management.

Higher maturity levels signify lower risks for successful program execution, and fewer than seven percent of all rated companies achieved Maturity Level 5 in 2009. The Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows campus designs, develops and manufactures advanced electronics for customers worldwide.

CMMI(R) is a process improvement framework that organizations use to improve their ability to build and maintain quality products and services. The framework defines a set of objective standards for assessing an organization's full range of engineering and organizational processes. CMMI(R) is also a collection of best practices that addresses process performance, product costs, risks, and quality; it emphasizes alignment of the process improvement objectives with organizational business objectives.

"We are dedicated to quality products and committed to process improvement," said John Buckley, vice president of Engineering and Manufacturing, Central Region for Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "This CMMI(R) rating is indicative of the company's ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in order to provide our customers the best value."

Northrop Grumman's CMMI(R) appraisal assessed the full range of many disciplines through use of the Standard CMMI(R) Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI). The appraisal was led by a certified Lead Appraiser from the Center for Systems Management, an independent evaluation company. The appraisal also included a review and affirmation of the Electronic Systems internal auditing program.

The CMMI(R) project is a collaborative effort with participation by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the military services and other government agencies, and industry, through the National Defense Industrial Association Systems Engineering Division, and the Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. CMMI(R) for Development provides a basis for organizations to make measured improvements in their product development capabilities.

Capability Maturity Model and CMMI are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by Carnegie Mellon University.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. 

  CONTACT: Ellen Hamilton
         Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
         (224) 625-4693
         ellen.hamilton@ngc.com