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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001227356-04-000004.txt : 20040109
<SEC-HEADER>0001227356-04-000004.hdr.sgml : 20040109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040109125340
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001227356-04-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040108
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040109

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GEF MANAGEMENT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001227356
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31703
		FILM NUMBER:		04517224

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1225 EYE STREET NW SUITE 900
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			22209

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ESSEX CORPORATION
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000355199
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-ENGINEERING SERVICES [8711]
		IRS NUMBER:				540846569
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1230

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9150 GILFORD RD
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21046
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3019397000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9150 GUILFORD ROAD
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21046
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-08</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000355199</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ESSEX CORPORATION</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EYW</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001227356</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GEF MANAGEMENT CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1225 EYE STREET NW SUITE 900</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WASHINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>DC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>22209</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>110700</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>988286</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through an LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On January 8, 2004 Global Environment Strategic Technology Partners, LP sold 300,000 shares of Common Stock.  GEF had a pecuniary interest in a portion of the shares sold.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This number includes 582,472 shares of common stock directly owned and additional common stock in which GEF Management Corporation has a pecuniary interest.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>H. Jeffrey Leonard</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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