Institute's Appraisal Validates Company's Commitment to Process Improvement
SAN DIEGO – 24 October 2013 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced that the Development and Production processes of its Aircraft Systems Group ("Full-Directed Programs, Systems and Software") have been appraised at Maturity Level 51 by the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Institute.
"This is a significant accomplishment in the maturing of an organization's management, development, and support processes," said David Greer, CMMI Institute-certified high maturity lead appraiser, Assess-IT, Inc. "Only a small percentage of companies have achieved this milestone in continuous process improvement. Absent an externally-levied requirement to achieve Maturity Level 5, GA-ASI has set this goal for itself, indicating a deep seated belief in the value of process improvement."
CMMI is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes, ultimately improving their performance. Appraisal at maturity level 5—the highest that can be attained—indicates that the organization is performing at an "optimizing" level. At this level, an organization continually improves its processes based on a quantitative understanding of its business objectives and performance needs and uses a quantitative approach to understand the variation inherent in the process and the causes of process outcomes.
"We are honored to be included among the elite six percent of more than a thousand military/government contractors who were evaluated with CMMI Development Version 1.3 and were appraised at Maturity Level 5," said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI. "Having predictable costs, schedules and quality are critical to developing and sustaining our systems and products."
1CMMI Institute, Published Appraisal Results - Maturity Profile Report, September 2013.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely piloted aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company's Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft systems, including Predator® A, Predator B, Gray Eagle®, the new Predator C Avenger®, and Predator XP. It also manufactures a variety of solid-state digital Ground Control Stations (GCS), including the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS, and provides pilot training and support services for RPA field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar and sophisticated Claw® sensor control and image analysis software into both manned and remotely piloted aircraft. It also develops and integrates other sensor and communication equipment into manned ISR aircraft and develops emerging technologies in solid-state lasers, electro-optic sensors, and ultra-wideband data links for government applications. For more information, please visit www.ga-asi.com.
Predator, Gray Eagle, Avenger, Lynx, and Claw are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1.858.312.2294
kimberly.kasitz@ga-asi.com