General Dynamics Amphibious Systems Achieves CMMI® Level 5 Maturity Rating for Software Engineering

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – General Dynamics Amphibious Systems has achieved the Maturity Level 5 rating on the SEI’s Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) Version 1.2, the highest maturity rating a company can obtain in a combined systems engineering, software engineering and supplier sourcing process evaluation. General Dynamics Amphibious Systems, based in Woodbridge, is part of General Dynamics Land Systems (Sterling Heights, Mich.), a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

“The General Dynamics Amphibious Systems software engineering teams have consistently provided quality products for our customers, from baselined software builds, prototypes and technical and design support to requirements and testing,” said Robert Turner, vice president, General Dynamics Amphibious Systems. “This CMMI® Level 5 appraisal enhances our competitive position in today’s market as well as confirms what we’ve always known: Our people are world-class performers, and consistently deliver high-performance, low-risk solutions.”

CMMI appraisal level requirements are being built into U.S. Government requests for proposals for large and small-scale programs. The General Dynamics Amphibious Systems software engineering appraisal was one of the most comprehensive assessments undertaken to date. “The SEI, in addition to updating the model, implemented an external audit program by an SEI board, external to the appraisal team, as an entry criteria to the higher maturity Levels,” said Darrell Duszka, Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle technical director for General Dynamics Amphibious Systems. “The rigor that would be required was quite evident during the planning phases, and the team successfully met all requirements.”

The SEI advocates CMMI as the best process improvement model available for product and service development and maintenance. CMMI is the successor to several SEI Capability Maturity Model (CMM) initiatives that date back to the early 1980s, including the Software CMM, the SEI’s first successful model. General Dynamics Amphibious Systems Software Engineering first earned a SEI CMM Level 3 maturity rating in early 2006, followed by a CMMI Level 3 maturity rating in early 2007.

In addition to General Dynamics Amphibious Systems’ CMM and CMMI Level 5 ratings, its ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001/OHSAS 18001 certifications further demonstrate an overarching commitment to the pursuit of continual improvement in all areas. “This commitment has made process excellence a core competency for General Dynamics Amphibious Systems Software Engineering and has contributed to the company's reputation for trusted performance as a leading developer of vehicle software,” said Turner.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.