-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BDTtsOsPJz+BsvyfCSAyZj0S+dn0/850X9lUhQgzt6u3oxfDZ/5L61ULjTEPC6ts
 KWhI+Th93QR51QGCbqDySw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001088238-03-000003.txt : 20030702
<SEC-HEADER>0001088238-03-000003.hdr.sgml : 20030702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030702101504
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001088238-03-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030702

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WOODS JAMES D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001088238

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10596
		FILM NUMBER:		03769763

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES
		STREET 2:		1800 WEST LOOP SOUTH #500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7138601500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES
		STREET 2:		1800 WEST LOOP SOUTH #500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-01</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000866706</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ESE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001088238</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WOODS JAMES D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-01</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>325</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>4358</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>T. B. Martin, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----