UNITED STATES

                       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 (Date of earliest event reported): November 7, 2005


                                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)

         6708 Alexander Bell Drive
         Columbia, Maryland                                        21046-2306
(Address of principal executive office)                            (Zip Code)

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

Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
    230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
    240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






                                ESSEX CORPORATION





ITEM 2.02.  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

            On November 7, 2005, Essex  Corporation  announced via press release
the Corporation's  preliminary  unaudited  financial results for the 3rd quarter
ending September 30, 2005. A copy of the Corporation's press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This Form 8-K, the information  contained herein, and
the  attached  Exhibit 99.1 are  furnished under  Item 2.02 of  Form 8-K and are
furnished to, but shall not be deemed  filed with, the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission.   The information  contained herein and in the  accompanying Exhibit
99.1  shall not be incorporated by reference  to any filing of the Corporation,
whether  made  before or  after the  date  hereof,  regardless of  any general
incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific
reference to such filing.

ITEM 9.01.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release of the Corporation dated November 7, 2005.



                                   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



                          /s/ Lisa G. Jacobson
                          ----------------------------------------------------
DATE:  November 7, 2005   Lisa G. Jacobson
                          Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





                                ESSEX CORPORATION


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number          Description


99.1              Press Release of the Corporation dated November 7, 2005.