SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



                        Date of Report: November 6, 2003



                                ESSEX CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Commission File No.  0-10772



              Virginia                                              54-0846569
(State or other jurisdiction of                          (IRS Employer ID No.)

incorporation or organization)



         9150 Guilford Road
         Columbia, Maryland                                         21046-2306
(Address of principal executive office)                             (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code:             (301) 939-7000







                                ESSEX CORPORATION





ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

        On  November  6,  2003,  Essex  Corporation   issued  a  press  release
        announcing   that  it  has  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
        Commission a  registration  statement for a proposed  follow-on  public
        offering of up to 4,000,000  shares of its common  stock  pursuant to a
        firm commitment underwritten offering. A copy of the Registrant's press
        release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

       (c)   Exhibits

             99.1 Press Release dated November 6, 2003, issued by Essex
                  Corporation.



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                            ESSEX CORPORATION
                                            (Registrant)



                                            /S/ JOSEPH R. KURRY, JR.
DATE:  November 6, 2003                         Joseph R. Kurry, Jr.
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Sr. Vice President, Treasurer and
                                            Chief Financial Officer

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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
NUMBER       DESCRIPTION
------       -----------


99.1         Press Release dated November 6, 2003, issued by Essex Corporation.





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