-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950117-03-004803.txt : 20031112
<SEC-HEADER>0000950117-03-004803.hdr.sgml : 20031111
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031112133105
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950117-03-004803
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031111
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENANTE MARTIN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001208946

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00134
		FILM NUMBER:		03992663

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CURTISS WRIGHT CORP
		STREET 2:		1200 WALL ST WEST
		CITY:			LYNDHURST
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07071

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CURTISS WRIGHT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000026324
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISC INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3590]
		IRS NUMBER:				130612970
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1200 WALL ST W
		CITY:			LYNDHURST
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07071
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018968400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1200 WALL ST W
		CITY:			LYNDHURST
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07071
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rsr_10296.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-11-11</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000026324</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CURTISS WRIGHT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>cw</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001208946</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENANTE MARTIN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4 BECKER FARM ROAD, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROSELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07068</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
        <officerTitle>Chairman and CEO</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-11</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-11-11</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2400</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>16.22</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionPricePerShare>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>3334</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-12</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-11-12</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>294</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>74.65</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>3040</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common STock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-12</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-11-12</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>300</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>74.45</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2740</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>
    <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeTransaction>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>16.22</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-11</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <deemedExecutionDate>
            <value>2003-11-11</value>
        </deemedExecutionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2400</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1996-11-20</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2003-11-20</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>2400</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>71797</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>
    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares acquired through exercise of options granted pursuant to employee 1985 Stock Option Plan</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Mr. Benante exercised options granted on November 20, 1993 which were set to expire on November 20, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Mr. Benante sold sufficient shares to cover his tax liability resulting from the exercise of the option.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Paul J. Ferdenzi by Power of Attorney for Martin R. Benante</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----