EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Essex Corporation

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 2 to Form
S-2 on Form S-3 Registration  Statement of Essex Corporation of our report dated
February  21, 2003,  relating to the balance  sheet of Essex  Corporation  as of
December  29,  2002  and  the  related  statements  of  operations,  changes  in
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2002
and December 30, 2001,  which report  appears in the 2002 Annual  Report on Form
10-KSB of Essex  Corporation  and to all  references to our Firm included in the
Registration Statement.

                                           /s/ Stegman & Company
                                               STEGMAN & COMPANY


Baltimore, Maryland
July 17, 2003