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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 K78W/F6WffduZy6jCoJ91gwJffWpx5hwWhJFgkIyDNRwmtqbj3rjpOI282J6nIrM
 omnBap4Fe6u9aJr9RMR0dQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001277014-04-000002.txt : 20040210
<SEC-HEADER>0001277014-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040210143659
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001277014-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040210

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEVINE JAMES J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001277014

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31703
		FILM NUMBER:		04581392

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

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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>devine021004form3_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001277014</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEVINE JAMES J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9150 GUILFORD RD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COLUMBIA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>21046</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President, GM</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non Qualified Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.40</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-02-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-02-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2400</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Incentive Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.40</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>47600</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">11900 shares exercisable 2/09/2004, 11900 shares exercisable 1/1/2005, 11900 shares exercisable 1/1/2006, 11900 shares exercisable 1/1/2007</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James J. Devine</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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