Westar Achieves CMMI® Level 3 Maturity Rating

Business Wire, June 23, 2008

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc., the Systems Engineering Group of QinetiQ North America, has officially achieved the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI[R]) Level 3 Maturity rating.

This accomplishment is based on the successful completion of the Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) appraisal, conducted May 12-23 by an SEI-authorized Lead Appraiser.

CMMI evolved under the leadership of the SEI, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and operated by Carnegie Mellon University. Its core purpose is to help organizations achieve measured improvements in their software engineering capabilities.

Organizations rated at CMMI Level 3 have demonstrated greater productivity, reduced costs, lower risk for developments, improved customer satisfaction, and higher consistency in meeting cost and schedule objectives.

CMMI also is mapped within Westar's Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2000 compliance and registration, which the company obtained in 2007.

"Achieving a Maturity Level 3 rating via the SCAMPI appraisal gives further assurance to our customers of our commitment to quality and continuous improvement in systems engineering, software development and product delivery," said Westar's Emmett McClellan, Vice President, Quality Management.

"In addition, by obtaining a CMMI Level 3 Maturity rating, Westar is qualified to support DoD procurement Acquisition Category I programs that specifically require this rating," McClellan added.

About Westar:

Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc. is a leading U.S. defense contractor with more than 30 offices and 1300 employees around the world delivering high-value engineering, software solutions, logistics information management, flight training, and IT technical support services to the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments and select commercial customers. Westar is a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ North America Operations, LLC.

About QinetiQ North America:

QinetiQ North America Operations, LLC, has more than 5,000 engineers and technologists working in partnership with customers to develop innovative technology solutions to meet the challenges of national defense, homeland security and information access. QinetiQ North America is part of QinetiQ Group plc, (QQ.LSE), one of the world's leading defense and security technology companies.

For more information on Westar: www.westar.com.