Northrop Grumman's Rolling Meadows Campus Achieves CMMI(R) Maturity Level 5 Rating

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Dec. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Electronic Systems sector campus in Rolling Meadows, Ill., has been appraised for the second time at Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®) Maturity Level 5, the highest rating possible.

The campus received the rating for a broad range of systems, software and hardware engineering processes with aspects of program management, organizational management, training, logistics and supply chain management. Northrop Grumman has earned more than 40 CMMI® Maturity Level 5 ratings.

CMMI® is a process improvement framework that defines a set of objective standards for assessing an organization's full range of engineering and organizational processes. Higher maturity levels signify lower risks for successful program execution. The Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows campus designs, develops and manufactures advanced electronics for customers worldwide.

"Continuous improvement is an integral part of the culture of Northrop Grumman," said Dan Blase, director of engineering at the Rolling Meadows campus. "This CMMI rating reflects our commitment to performing at the highest level for our customers, and doing so in the most affordable manner possible."

Northrop Grumman's CMMI® appraisal, conducted by an Aerospace Systems sector certified lead appraiser unaffiliated with the Rolling Meadows campus, evaluated a variety of disciplines through use of the Standard CMMI® Appraisal Method for Process Improvement. The appraisal also included a review and affirmation of the Electronic Systems sector's internal auditing program.

A coalition of industry, government and the Software Engineering Institute developed the CMMI® rating system to objectively assess the full range of an organization's software and systems engineering, program management and organizational management capabilities.

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

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

CONTACT: Ellen Hamilton
         224-625-4693 (office)
         847-815-0753 (mobile)
         [e-mail]