EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS






                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Essex Corporation


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement Form S-2/A of Essex Corporation of our report dated February 9, 2001
except as to Note 11 which is dated August 8, 2001, the related statements of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2000 and December 26, 1999, which report appears in the
December 31, 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A of Essex Corporation and to all
references to our firm included in the Registration Statement.



                                                         STEGMAN & COMPANY


Baltimore, Maryland
August 8, 2001