EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Essex Corporation

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post Effective
Amendment No.2 to the Form S-2 Registration Statement of Essex Corporation of
our report dated February 22, 2002, relating to the balance sheet of Essex
Corporation as of December 30, 2001 and the related statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal years ended
December 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, which report appears in the 2001 Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB of Essex Corporation and to all references to our Firm
included in the Registration Statement.


                                                              STEGMAN & COMPANY


Baltimore, Maryland
June 17, 2002