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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000866706-03-000043.txt : 20031114
<SEC-HEADER>0000866706-03-000043.hdr.sgml : 20031114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031114153525
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000866706-03-000043
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031114

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KRETSCHMER CHARLES J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216227

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10596
		FILM NUMBER:		031004173

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ESCO TECHNOLOGIES
		STREET 2:		8888 LADUE ROAD
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63124

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000866706
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEARCH, DETECTION, NAVIGATION, GUIDANCE, AERONAUTICAL SYS [3812]
		IRS NUMBER:				431554045
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8888 LADUE RD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63124-2090
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3142137200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8888 LADUE RD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			M0
		ZIP:			63124-2090

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ESCO ELECTRONICS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>kretschmernov03form5_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
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<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-09-30</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000866706</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ese</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216227</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KRETSCHMER CHARLES J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ESCO TECHNOLOGIES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8888 LADUE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63124</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>President &amp; COO</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2000-08-10</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
         <value>L</value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>20000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2001-05-10</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
         <value>L</value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>10667</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2001-10-17</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
         <value>L</value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>4000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2002-02-05</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
         <value>L</value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>9334</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>84310</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Grant of performance-accelerated restricted stock on the prior year date indicated, exempt under Rule 16b-3(d). The acquisition of 25, 334 of the total shares listed in column 4 was reported in previous Section 16 filings.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> Not applicable</footnote>

      <footnote id="F3"> Includes 200 shares acquired under Issuer's Employee Stock Purchase Plan during fiscal year ended 9/30/03.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Charles J. Kretschmer</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-11-14</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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