FORM 10-QSB
                     U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

[X]  QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE  SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2003

                         Commission File Number 0-10772

                                ESSEX CORPORATION
        (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

            Virginia                                                 54-0846569
(State or other jurisdiction of                                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

9150 Guilford Road, Columbia, Maryland                                    21046
(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)

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

Check  whether  the issuer  (1) has filed all  reports  required  to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 during the past 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such
reports),  and (2) has been subject to such filing  requirements for the past 90
days.

YES      X     NO
       -----      -----

State the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the issuer's class of Common
Stock as of the latest practicable date.

                                                                   OUTSTANDING
                  CLASS                                          AT MAY 2, 2003
                  -----                                          --------------
Common Stock, no par value per share                                8,920,547

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check One);

YES          NO     X
    -----         -----




                               ESSEX CORPORATION
                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The  interim  financial   statements  are  unaudited  but,  in  the  opinion  of
management,  reflect all adjustments for a fair presentation of results for such
period.  The results of operations  for any interim  period are not  necessarily
indicative of results for the full year.  These financial  statements  should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto contained in
the Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended  December
29, 2002.

                                       2

                               ESSEX CORPORATION



                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                   March 30,      December 29,
                                                     2003             2002
                                                -------------    -------------
                                                 (unaudited)       (audited)
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
                                                           
     Cash                                       $     831,373    $   1,030,247
     Accounts receivable, net                       2,405,867          565,626
     Prepayments and other                            172,123          106,987
     Contract work in progress                        101,598               --
                                                -------------    -------------
                                                    3,510,961        1,702,860
                                                -------------    -------------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
     Computers and special equipment                1,073,860          948,455
     Furniture, equipment and other                   304,697          219,112
                                                -------------    -------------
                                                    1,378,557        1,167,567
     Accumulated depreciation and amortization     (1,037,076)        (845,360)
                                                -------------    -------------
                                                      341,481          322,207
                                                -------------    -------------

OTHER ASSETS
     Goodwill                                       3,014,000               --
     Other intangibles, net                           385,023               --
     Patents, net                                     307,645          296,407
     Other                                             27,602           21,725
                                                -------------    -------------
                                                    3,734,270          318,132
                                                -------------    -------------

TOTAL ASSETS                                    $   7,586,712    $   2,343,199
------------                                    =============    =============



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


                                       3


                               ESSEX CORPORATION



                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                      March 30,    December 29,
                                                        2003           2002
                                                    ------------   ------------

(unaudited) (audited)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
                                                             
     Advance from accounts receivable financing     $     35,904   $    169,432
     Accounts payable                                  1,294,115        659,977
     Accrued wages and vacation                          471,866        233,940
     Accrued retirement                                  118,474         65,000
     Billings in excess of costs                         229,000        135,000
     Other accrued expenses                              443,030        146,041
     Capital leases                                       35,885         71,261
                                                    ------------   ------------
                                                       2,628,274      1,480,651

LONG-TERM DEBT

     Convertible note payable                            500,000        500,000
     Note payable                                        100,000             --
     Capital leases, net of current portion                   --          4,390
                                                    ------------   ------------

     Total Liabilities                                 3,228,274      1,985,041
                                                    ------------   ------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Common stock, no par value; 25 million shares
       authorized; 8,911,971 and 7,790,398 shares
       issued and outstanding, respectively           16,776,881     12,706,520
     Additional paid-in capital                        2,000,000      2,000,000
     Prepaid warrant                                          --         50,000
     Accumulated deficit                             (14,418,443)   (14,398,362)
                                                    ------------   ------------
                                                       4,358,438        358,158
                                                    ------------   ------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          $  7,586,712   $  2,343,199
                                                    ============   ============



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


                                       4



                               ESSEX CORPORATION



                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                          FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEK PERIODS
                     ENDED MARCH 30, 2003 AND MARCH 31, 2002


                                                     2003             2002
                                                -------------    --------------

                                                 (unaudited)      (unaudited)

                                                           
Revenues                                        $   3,001,334    $     763,276
Costs of goods sold and services provided          (2,042,211)        (388,739)
Research and development                             (131,946)        (568,734)
Selling, general and administrative expenses         (785,874)        (629,692)
Amortization of other intangible assets               (45,726)              --
                                                -------------    -------------

         Operating Loss                                (4,423)        (823,889)

Interest expense, net                                 (15,658)          (6,142)
                                                -------------    -------------

Loss Before Income Taxes                              (20,081)        (830,031)

Provision for income taxes                                 --               --
                                                -------------    -------------

Net Loss                                        $     (20,081)   $    (830,031)
                                                =============    =============

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding       8,035,012        7,224,892
                                                =============    =============

Basic Loss Per Common Share                     $       (0.00)   $       (0.11)
                                                =============    =============

Diluted Loss Per Common Share                   $       (0.00)   $       (0.11)
                                                =============    =============



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


                                       5


                               ESSEX CORPORATION



                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEK PERIODS
                     ENDED MARCH 30, 2003 AND MARCH 31, 2002

                                                                  2003         2002
                                                              -----------   -----------

                                                              (unaudited)   (unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                                                                      
   Net Loss                                                   $   (20,081)  $  (830,031)
   Adjustments to reconcile Net Loss to
     Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                38,967        34,311
      Amortization of other intangible assets                      45,726            --
      Stock compensation expense                                       --        87,975

   Change in Assets and Liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                                        (572,694)       54,540
      Prepayments and other assets                                 38,055         9,976
      Contract work in progress                                   (36,598)           --
      Accounts payable                                            378,566        87,548
      Other liabilities                                           188,558      (104,435)
                                                              -----------   -----------

   Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities
                                                                   60,499      (660,116)
                                                              -----------   -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Acquisition of SDL                                           (154,500)           --
    Purchases of property and equipment                           (32,286)       (6,130)
    Proceeds from sale of fixed assets                                707            --
                                                              -----------   -----------

    Net Cash Used In Investing Activities                        (186,079)       (6,130)
                                                              -----------   -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Sales of common stock                                              --       500,003
    Proceeds of note payable                                      100,000            --
    Exercise of stock options                                          --        84,528
    Short-term borrowings/repayments, net                        (133,528)       75,632
    Payment of capital lease obligations                          (39,766)      (34,147)
                                                              -----------   -----------

    Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities
                                                                  (73,294)      626,016
                                                              -----------   -----------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    Net decrease                                                 (198,874)      (40,230)
    Balance - beginning of period                               1,030,247       568,178
                                                              -----------   -----------
    Balance - end of period                                   $   831,373   $   527,948
                                                              ===========   ===========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


                                       6




                                ESSEX CORPORATION

                     NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

NOTE 1:  General

FISCAL YEAR AND PRESENTATION

These statements cover Essex Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sensys
Development Laboratories,  Inc. (the "Company").  The Company is on a 52/53-week
fiscal year ending the last Sunday in December.  Years 2003 and 2002 are 52-week
fiscal years.  Certain amounts for 2002 have been reclassified to conform to the
2003 presentation.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally  accepted in the United States of America requires  management to make
estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets and
liabilities  and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at the date of
the  financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses
during  the  reporting   period.   Estimates  are  used  when   accounting   for
uncollectible   accounts  receivable,   inventory  obsolescence  and  valuation,
depreciation and  amortization,  intangible  assets,  employee benefit plans and
contingencies, among others. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

IMPORTANT BUSINESS RISK FACTORS

The Company has historically  been principally a supplier of technical  services
under  contracts  or  subcontracts  with  departments  or  agencies  of the U.S.
Government,  primarily the military  services and other departments and agencies
of the Department of Defense.  The Company's  revenues have been and continue to
come from such programs.  The Company is focusing and expanding in this business
area. See Note 9 - Acquisition of Sensys Development Laboratories, Inc.

In recent years, the Company has expended  significant  funds to transition into
the commercial  marketplace,  particularly the productization of its proprietary
technologies in telecommunications and optoelectronic  processors. In June 2000,
the Company announced that it had filed applications to secure patent protection
for innovative  technologies in two communications  device families:  Fiberoptic
HYPERFINE WDM (wavelength  division  multiplexing)  devices and wireless optical
processor enhanced receiver architecture.  Since September 2000, the Company has
received over $6 million in financing  from its Private  Investors or affiliates
to advance its  programs to  capitalize  upon these  inventions.  The  long-term
success  of  the  Company  in  these  areas  is  dependent  on  its  ability  to
successfully  develop and market products related to its communications  devices
and  optoelectronic  processors.  The  success  of these  efforts  is subject to
changing  technologies,  availability of additional  financing,  competition and
market acceptance.

Primarily  due  to  the  expenditures  for  development  and  marketing  of  its
optoelectronics    products    and    services,    particularly    the   optical
telecommunications device technologies,  the Company incurred significant losses
in 2002 and 2001.  To the  extent  funds are  available,  the  Company  plans to
continue  research  and  development  spending  in 2003  in the  optoelectronics
operations.

                                       7

                               ESSEX CORPORATION

                     NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company is seeking to establish  joint  ventures or  strategic  partnerships
including  licensing  of its  technologies  with major  industrial  concerns  to
facilitate  these  goals.  The  Company  will also seek  additional  funds under
appropriate terms from private sources to continue to finance development and to
achieve initial market penetration.  Significant delays in the commercialization
of the  Company's  optoelectronic  products,  failure to market such products or
failure to raise substantial additional working capital could have a significant
adverse effect on the Company's  future  operating  results and future financial
position.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Research and  development  costs are expensed as  incurred.  Such costs  include
direct labor and materials as well as a reasonable allocation of indirect costs.
However, no general and administrative  costs are included.  Equipment which has
alternative future uses is capitalized and charged to expense over its estimated
useful life.

NOTE 2:  Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings  (loss) per common share are computed using the weighted  average
number of common  shares  outstanding  during the period  and,  in 2002,  common
shares  issuable  upon the  required  conversion  of  preferred  stock.  Diluted
earnings per common share would incorporate the incremental shares issuable upon
the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants. Such incremental shares were
anti dilutive for the periods presented.

NOTE 3:  Accounts Receivable Financing

The  Company  has  a  working  capital  financing  agreement  with  an  accounts
receivable   factoring   organization.   Under  the  agreement,   the  factoring
organization may purchase certain of the Company's  accounts  receivable subject
to full recourse against the Company in the case of nonpayment by the customers.
The Company  generally  receives  85%-90% of the  invoice  amount at the time of
purchase  and the balance  when the  invoice is paid.  The Company is charged an
interest fee and other processing  charges,  payable at the time each invoice is
paid.  There were $36,000 of funds advanced as of March 30, 2003 and $169,000 of
funds advanced as of December 29, 2002.

NOTE 4:  Common Stock; Warrants; Preferred Stock

The Company's Articles of Incorporation  authorize 1 million shares of preferred
stock,  par  value  $0.01  per  share,  the  series  and  rights of which may be
designated by the Board of Directors in  accordance  with  applicable  state and
federal law. In September  2000,  the Board  designated  500,000  shares of such
preferred  stock as Series B.  There were  312,500  shares of Series B issued in
2000 for $1,250,000 and the remaining  187,500 issued in 2001 for $750,000.  The
500,000  Series B shares were  converted as required  into  2,000,000  shares of
common stock in  September  2002.  No Series A or Series B preferred  shares are
currently outstanding.

                                       8

                               ESSEX CORPORATION

                     NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In connection  with the issuance of Series B preferred  stock,  the Company also
issued common stock warrants to the preferred stock holders.  These warrants are
for an  additional 2 million  shares of common  stock.  The  warrants  expire in
September  2005 and can be exercised at a nominal price of $2,000.  The warrants
become exercisable under certain terms and conditions,  such as the market price
of the common stock exceeding $10 through $20 per share for 5 consecutive  days,
or the  occurrence of an additional  private  placement of $10 million where the
valuation  of the Company  exceeds $50 million.  The warrants  would also become
exercisable upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
or a merger or acquisition of the Company.  The Company has determined  that the
warrants had a nominal fair value at issuance due to the restrictive  covenants.
The Company has reserved 2 million shares of common stock in connection with the
possible  exercise of the related common stock  warrants.  As of March 30, 2003,
these warrants were not exercisable.

In March 2002, the Company amended existing private placement agreements for its
common stock with its Private Investors or their affiliates. The agreements were
increased  from  $500,000 to $1.5  million,  of which  $250,000  was received in
December 2001,  $500,000 was received in the first quarter of 2002, $500,000 was
received  in second  quarter  of 2002 and  $250,000  was  received  in the third
quarter of 2002.  Under the  agreements,  the Company  issued  500,000 shares of
common stock.

NOTE 5:  Stock-Based Compensation

In October 1995,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  ("FASB")  issued
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No. 123,  "Accounting for
Stock-Based  Compensation".  SFAS No. 123 defines a "fair value based method" of
accounting for an employee stock option or similar equity instrument.  Under the
fair value based method,  compensation  cost is measured at the grant date based
on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period. The Company
has  historically  accounted  for  employee  stock  options  or  similar  equity
instruments under the "intrinsic value method" as defined by APB Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting  for Stock Issued to Employees".  Under the intrinsic  value method,
compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock
at grant date or other  measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to
acquire the stock.

SFAS No. 123 allows an entity to continue to use the intrinsic  value method and
management has elected to do so. However,  entities  electing to remain with the
accounting in APB Opinion No. 25 must make pro forma  disclosures  of net income
and earnings per share, as if the fair value based method of accounting had been
applied.  Accordingly, net loss and loss per share would be as follows:

                                       9


                               ESSEX CORPORATION

                     NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION




                                                     March 30, 2003    March 31, 2002
                                                     --------------    --------------
                                                                  
        Net loss, as reported                         $    (20,081)     $   (830,031)

        Less:  Total stock-based employee
        compensation expense determined under
        fair value based method for all awards             191,744           410,725
                                                      -------------    --------------

        Pro forma loss attributable to common
        stockholders
                                                      $   (211,825)     $  1,240,756)
                                                      =============    ==============
        Loss per share:
            Basic-as reported                         $      (0.00)     $      (0.11)

            Basic-pro forma                           $      (0.03)     $      (0.17)

            Diluted-as reported                       $      (0.00)     $      (0.11)

            Diluted-pro forma                         $      (0.03)     $      (0.17)


NOTE 6:  Amortization of Other Intangible Assets

In  connection  with  the  March  1,  2003  acquisition  of  Sensys  Development
Laboratories,  Inc. (See Note 9), there was $431,000 of value assigned primarily
to contracts backlog.  The overall amortization life is expected to be less than
one year and $46,000 of amortization was recognized in March 2003.

NOTE 7:  Income Taxes

The Company is in a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward  position for book and
tax  purposes.  No tax  benefit  will be  recognized  until  taxable  income  is
realized.

NOTE 8:  Statements of Cash Flows - Supplemental Disclosure

There were no new capital  leases  entered into in the first quarters of 2003 or
2002.

NOTE 9:  Acquisition of Sensys Development Laboratories, Inc.

As of March 1, 2003,  the Company  acquired  100% of the common  stock of Sensys
Development Laboratories,  Inc. ("SDL"). The assigned value of the consideration
and  related  expenses  is  approximately  $4,405,000.  Under  the  terms of the
agreement,  the  Company  will pay  $309,000  in cash and  issued  approximately
683,000  shares  of  common  stock.  The  agreement  further  provides  that  an
additional  number of shares up to 422,000  may be  released  from escrow on the
first anniversary of closing based upon certain factors. The Company also issued
approximately 195,000 non-qualified fully vested options for its common stock at
below  market  exercise  prices in  exchange  for SDL fully  vested  outstanding
options.  The value of the maximum stock consideration was based upon the 20 day
weighted  average  market price of the Company's  common stock in December 2002,
the approximate date the deal terms were established.

                                       10


                               ESSEX CORPORATION

                     NOTES TO INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SDL provides  both system and  software  engineering  technical  support to U.S.
Government customers and prime contractors  supporting government programs.  SDL
has an established  workforce with specialized  experience and credentials.  For
its most recent fiscal year ended  September 30, 2002,  SDL had revenues of over
$3 million.

The following table  summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired
and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.



                                                  
            Current assets                           $    1,447,000
            Equipment and other                              33,000
            Goodwill                                      3,014,000
            Intangible assets                               431,000
                                                     --------------

              Total assets acquired                       4,925,000

            Current liabilities                            (520,000)
                                                     --------------

              Net assets acquired                    $    4,405,000
                                                     ==============


The  intangible  assets of $431,000 are primarily  assigned to contract  backlog
which has an estimated overall amortization life of less than one year.

The  following  information  is  presented  on a pro forma  basis as though  the
business combination had been completed as of the beginning of fiscal 2003.



                                    For The Quarter Ended March 30, 2003
                                          (in Thousands) (Unaudited)
                                    -------------------------------------

                                          As Reported       Pro Forma
                                         -------------    -------------

                                                    
Revenues                                 $       3,001    $       4,266
                                         =============    =============

Net Income (Loss)                        $         (20)   $         242
                                         =============    =============

Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
     Basic                               $       (0.00)   $        0.03
                                         =============    =============

     Fully diluted                       $       (0.00)   $        0.03
                                         =============    =============



In  the  pro  forma   revenues  and  net  income  are  $420,000  and   $155,000,
respectively,  from a  product  sale by SDL  which is not  expected  to occur in
future periods.

                                       11




                                ESSEX CORPORATION


ITEM 2.           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION  AND OTHER  SECTIONS
CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS THAT ARE BASED ON MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTATIONS,
ESTIMATES, PROJECTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS. WORDS SUCH AS "EXPECTS",  "ANTICIPATES",
"PLANS",  "BELIEVES",  "ESTIMATES"  AND  VARIATIONS  OF SUCH  WORDS AND  SIMILAR
EXPRESSIONS  ARE  INTENDED  TO IDENTIFY  SUCH  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  THAT
INCLUDE,  BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,  PROJECTIONS  OF REVENUES,  EARNINGS,  SEGMENT
PERFORMANCE, CASH FLOWS AND CONTRACT AWARDS. SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE
MADE PURSUANT TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995.  THESE  STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE  PERFORMANCE
AND INVOLVE  CERTAIN  RISKS AND  UNCERTAINTIES  THAT ARE  DIFFICULT  TO PREDICT.
THEREFORE,  ACTUAL FUTURE RESULTS AND TRENDS MAY DIFFER  MATERIALLY FROM WHAT IS
INDICATED IN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS.

STATUS

The  Company's   business  is  focused  upon  applications  of  its  proprietary
optoelectronics  technology  and products  for  commercial  and U.S.  Government
customers  and  signal  and  image  processing  technology  for U.S.  Government
customers.

The Company  has  experienced  growth in its  government  business  and has been
actively  pursuing growth  strategies from internal  efforts and external merger
sources.  In 2002,  under a 5-year $25 million  Indefinite  Delivery  Indefinite
Quantity  contract,  the Company  received an initial funding of $2.4 million to
develop a next generation optoelectronic radar processor. This initial phase was
substantially completed in 2002, and in January 2003 the Company received a $3.7
million follow-on award to complete the design and deliver a prototype processor
before the end of 2003. The Company  received a new subcontract in November 2002
to provide at least $3 million annually in telecommunications systems support in
the area of  modernization,  project  management,  integration  and  engineering
analysis.  This work began in  January  2003 and is part of the  multi-year  $30
million award to provide such services.  The Company completed,  effective March
1, 2003,  the  merger  with  Sensys  Development  Laboratories,  Inc.  (SDL),  a
Maryland-based  provider of technical engineering and software support services.
(See Note 9 in Notes to Interim Financial Information.) This merger adds over 25
highly  skilled  professionals  to the Essex staff and an expected $4 million of
annual revenue in 2003.

Since September 2000, the Company has closed on several equity private placement
funding  transactions with the Private Investors.  Under the terms of the equity
funding,  the Company has received  over $6.1 million and the Private  Investors
and their affiliates received  approximately 3.2 million shares of common stock.
The Private  Investors  were also issued  warrants for an additional two million
shares of common stock.  The warrants can be exercised for a nominal price under
certain  terms  and  conditions.  See  Note  4 of  Notes  to  Interim  Financial
Information  for further  details.  The Company  has also  received  proceeds of
$600,000 from the private placement of outstanding convertible and other debt.

                                       12


                               ESSEX CORPORATION

The  Company's  primary use of the private  placement  funds has been to patent,
develop and commercialize its key leading-edge optical technologies, principally
the  fiberoptic  HYPERFINE WDM devices and wireless  OPERA(TM)  technology.  The
purpose  of the  HYPERFINE  WDM  device  is to  increase  the  number  of usable
communications  channels within a single optical fiber. The purpose of OPERA(TM)
is TO increase  capacity and improve voice and data quality of wireless systems.
These  inventions  arose from the  Company's  work and  expertise in the optical
device and communications fields.

The Company has  prototypes  of the  HYPERFINE  WDM  technology  which are being
demonstrated to prospective  strategic partners and investors.  The Company sold
several  prototypes of its initial  HYPERFINE WDM devices to a customer in March
2003. The Company is developing  simulations of its OPERA(TM)  wireless receiver
device  technology  and is  undertaking  to determine  the various  market entRY
points for such device technology.  The Company is also holding discussions with
various established commercial entities that are in the wireless  communications
market  in  order  to  determine  the  best  commercial   applications  of  such
technology.

The development of the commercial  HYPERFINE WDM devices required a diversion of
labor  resources  from  revenue  generation  in 2002 and  2001.  Because  of the
emphasis  on  development,  the  Company was unable in 2002 and 2001 to maintain
customer  programs of sufficient  volume and to expand such work to consistently
achieve an overall breakeven or better level of operations on such revenues.

In light  of the  continued  unfavorable  conditions  in the  telecommunications
markets,  the  commercial  market for the  Company's  optical  technologies  and
products has been slow in developing. As a consequence, the Company has opted to
significantly  expand the  government  business  base  creating a Company  which
provides total solutions to customer  problems.  The expansion should reduce the
net losses and permit the Company to move to breakeven  and eventual  profitable
operations while still continuing  commercial product development and marketing,
although at a reduced  level to the extent funds are  available.  The Company is
also  pursuing  sales  of  its  commercial   HYPERFINE  WDM  and  other  optical
technologies in the government marketplace.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial  statements  requires the Company to make estimates
and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities,  revenues
and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an
on-going basis, the Company re-evaluates its estimates,  including those related
to  revenue  recognition,  research  and  development,  inventories,  intangible
assets,  income  taxes and  contingencies.  The Company  bases its  estimates on
historical  experience and on various other  assumptions that are believed to be
reasonable  under the  circumstances,  the  results  of which form the basis for
making  judgments about the carrying  values of assets and liabilities  that are
not readily  apparent from other  sources.  Actual results may differ from these
estimates under different  assumptions or conditions.  The Company  believes the
following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and
estimates used in the preparation of its financial statements.

                                       13


                               ESSEX CORPORATION

REVENUE RECOGNITION

For U.S. Government customers,  the Company provides services and products under
a variety of contract types, namely cost plus fixed fee (CPFF), fixed price (FP)
and time & material (T&M). The Company  recognizes  revenue on CPFF contracts to
the extent costs are incurred  plus a  proportionate  amount of fee earned.  The
Company must  determine that the costs incurred are proper and that the ultimate
costs  incurred will not overrun the expected  funding on the contract and still
deliver the scope of work proposed.  Even though CPFF contracts generally do not
require  that the Company  expend costs in excess of the  contract  value,  such
expenditures  may be  required  in order to achieve  customer  satisfaction  and
receive additional work. In addition,  since the reimbursable costs include both
direct and indirect  costs,  the Company must  determine that the indirect costs
are  properly  accounted  and  allocated  in  accordance  with  government  cost
accounting  requirements.  On FP level-of-effort service contracts,  the Company
must  determine  that the  costs  incurred  provide  a  proportionate  amount of
progress on the work and that the ultimate  costs  incurred will not overrun the
funding on the contract and the required hours will be delivered.  On FP product
orders, revenue is not recorded until the Company determines that the goods have
been  delivered  and  accepted by the  customer.  On T&M  contracts,  revenue is
recognized to the extent of billable rates multiplied by hours  delivered,  plus
other  direct  costs.  This  is  generally  the  most  straightforward   revenue
computation.  The Company uses historical technical performance experience where
applicable to evaluate progress on FP and CPFF jobs. The Company uses historical
government  audit experience in the indirect cost area to evaluate the propriety
and expected recovery of its indirect costs on CPFF contracts.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Company has expended  significant  amounts for research and  development for
new products. In accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles,  the
Company expenses and does not capitalize and add to inventory such  expenditures
until product  marketability  and viability  have been  established.  There is a
judgmental  aspect to this decision  which could result in the over expensing in
some cases or the early capitalization in other cases of such expenditures.

REVENUES

Revenues were  $3,001,000  and $763,000 for the first quarters of 2003 and 2002,
respectively.  Revenues in the first  quarter of 2003  include  $435,000 for one
month of operations from recently  acquired SDL.  Excluding SDL, revenues in the
first quarter of 2003 were $1,803,000  higher than the first quarter of 2002 due
to several  factors.  The major factor was due to the increased  activity on the
U.S.  Government  Missile Defense Agency program for design of a next generation
advanced  optoelectronics radar processor (AOP) demonstration unit. This program
had revenues of  $1,320,000  in the first quarter of 2003 but had no revenues in
the first  quarter of 2002 as the Company did not begin this  program  until May
2002.   The  Company   also  had  $589,000  of  revenues  on  contracts  in  its
Communications Services Division that was formed in late 2002. Additionally, the
Company also sold $244,000 of commercial equipment,  including the sale of three
prototype  HYPERFINE  WDM  demonstration  units  for  $120,000  to a  government
customer. There were no such sales in the first quarter of 2002.

                                       14


                               ESSEX CORPORATION

As of March 30,  2003,  the Company  had funded  backlog of  approximately  $6.1
million,  unfunded  backlog of $48  million and total  backlog of $54.1  million
compared to total backlog of $55.8 million at December 29, 2002.

INCOME (LOSS)

There was a net loss of $20,000 and  $830,000 in the first  quarters of 2003 and
2002,  respectively.  There was a profit of $26,000 in the first quarter of 2003
before one month's  amortization of other  intangibles of $46,000 related to the
SDL acquisition.  These other intangibles will be substantially amortized within
approximately  one year. There was no comparable  amortization  cost in the same
period in 2002.  Cost of goods sold and services (COGS) provided as a percentage
of  revenues  for the first  quarter  of 2003 was 68%,  which was  significantly
higher than the 50.9% in 2002. In 2002,  the major  component of COGS was direct
labor and associated  costs. In 2003, due to the AOP program  referenced  above,
there was a significant increase in the direct materials and equipment component
of COGS.  The  Company  receives a higher  markup on direct  labor  than  direct
material and equipment costs.  Overall,  the higher volume in 2003 contributed a
larger amount of gross profit,  though at a lower gross profit  percentage.  The
net loss also declined as a larger amount of fixed  expenses were covered by the
higher revenue volume.

Research  and  development  (R&D)  was  lower  between  the  quarterly  periods,
amounting to  approximately  $132,000 in 2003 and $569,000 in 2002. The majority
of the R&D costs were incurred on efforts related to optical  telecommunications
technology.  The  Company  expects,  subject to the  availability  of funds,  to
continue its R&D spending in the optical and telecommunications areas in 2003.

The Company had higher selling,  general and  administrative  expenses ("SG&A"),
partially due to business  development in the government  contracts area as well
as continuing costs in the  optoelectronics  and  telecommunications  new device
business  areas  as  the  Company  seeks  to  commercialize  its  optoelectronic
telecommunications  products and  services.  Overall,  SG&A expenses have become
proportionally  lower  relative to the higher  2003  revenue  volume.  High SG&A
expenses contributed to the operating loss in the first quarter of 2002.

CORPORATE MATTERS

Total interest  expense was $16,000 and $6,000 in the first quarters of 2003 and
2002, respectively.

The Company is in a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward position. No provision
or benefit from income  taxes was  recognized  in the first  quarters of 2003 or
2002.


                                       15


                               ESSEX CORPORATION


FINANCIAL CONDITION - LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The  Company  evaluates  its  liquidity  position  using  various  factors.  The
following represents some of the more important factors:



                                      SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA ($ Thousands)
                                                      AS OF
                                   ----------------------------------------

                                    March 30,    December 29,     March 31,
                                      2003           2002           2002
                                   ----------    ----------     ----------
                                   (unaudited)    (audited)     (unaudited)

                                                       
Total Assets                       $    7,587    $    2,343     $    1,486
                                   ==========    ==========     ==========

Working Capital (Deficit)          $      883    $      222     $     (108)
                                   ==========    ==========     ==========

Current Ratio                          1.34:1        1.15:1         0.89:1
                                   ==========    ==========     ==========

Advance from Accounts Receivable
    Financing                      $       36    $      169     $       76
Capital Leases                             36            76            157
Convertible Debt                          500           500             --
Other Debt                                100            --             --
                                   ----------    ----------     ----------
          Total Debt/Financing     $      672    $      745     $      233
                                   ==========    ==========     ==========

Stockholders' Equity               $    4,358    $      358     $      488
                                   ==========    ==========     ==========



As a result  of the  acquisition  of SDL for  predominately  common  stock,  the
Company's  working capital  increased by approximately  $618,000 after deducting
the $309,000 of cash consideration (paid and payable).  The consideration amount
paid is shown as a cash outflow from  investing  activities in the  consolidated
statements of cash flows.

In 2003,  net cash used in financing  activities  of $73,000  resulted  from the
periodic  reduction  in  borrowings  on accounts  receivable  and capital  lease
payments,  partially  offset by the private  placement  of $100,000 in debt to a
member of its Private Investors.  In 2002, the net cash  provided  by  financing
activities is primarily from the Company  completing  several private placements
of equity or debt securities  to its Private Investors or their  affiliates. The
Company  received  $2,000,000  and  $3,000,000  in fiscal 2002 and fiscal  2001,
respectively,  including  the  $500,000 in the first  quarter of 2002 from these
private  placements.  The funds have been and are to be used  primarily  for the
development of the optical telecommunications device technologies.

In 2003, net cash provided by operating  activities of $60,000 was primarily due
to non cash  depreciation  and  amortization  charges.  The increase in accounts
receivable was offset by the increase in accounts payable and other liabilities.
In 2002,  the net cash used in  operating  activities  resulted  from the losses
incurred by the Company primarily due to the expenditures for development of its
optoelectronics  products  and  services.  The  Company  plans to  continue  R&D

                                       16

                               ESSEX CORPORATION

spending on optoelectronics in 2003 at a reduced level. The reduced R&D spending
is intended to allow the  Company to operate at an overall  breakeven  or better
level.  Such R&D would be financed with internally  generated funds. In order to
increase spending levels, the Company would need additional funds.

The Company is seeking to establish  joint  ventures or strategic  partnerships,
including  the licensing of its  technologies  to major  industrial  concerns to
facilitate  these  goals.  The Company  might also seek  additional  funds under
appropriate  terms from private  sources to further  finance  development and to
achieve  initial  market  penetration.  If the  Company  does  not  successfully
commercialize  its  optoelectronic  products  or  raise  substantial  additional
working  capital,  then these events could have a significant  adverse effect on
the Company's future operating results and financial position.

The  Company  has a  working  capital  financing  arrangement  with an  accounts
receivable   factoring   organization.   Under  the  agreement,   the  factoring
organization may purchase certain of the Company's  accounts  receivable subject
to full recourse against the Company in the case of nonpayment by the customers.
The Company  generally  receives  85%-90% of the  invoice  amount at the time of
purchase  and the balance  when the  invoice is paid.  The Company is charged an
interest fee and other processing  charges,  payable at the time each invoice is
paid.  There was $36,000 of funds  advanced as of March 30, 2003 and $169,000 as
of December 29, 2002.

The  Company's  management  believes  that it will be able to meet its remaining
2003 funding  requirements  and obligations from the  aforementioned  sources of
revenue and capital, and if necessary, by cost reductions. However, there can be
no  assurances  in  this  regard  and we  expect  that  the  Company  will  need
significant  financing in the future if we pursue  acquisitions  or if increased
product development is to occur.

THE PRECEDING  PARAGRAPHS  DISCUSSING THE COMPANY'S  FINANCIAL CONDITION CONTAIN
FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS. THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO
MEET ITS FUNDING REQUIREMENTS AND MANAGE ITS CASH RESOURCES INCLUDE, AMONG OTHER
THINGS,  THE  AMOUNT  AND  TIMING OF  PRODUCT  SALES,  INVENTORY  TURNOVER,  THE
MAGNITUDE OF FIXED COSTS AND THE ABILITY TO OBTAIN WORKING CAPITAL, ALL OF WHICH
INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT.

                                       17


                               ESSEX CORPORATION

ITEM 3.           CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Based on their most recent evaluation, which was completed within 90 days of the
filing of this Form 10-QSB,  the  Company's  Chief  Executive  Officer and Chief
Financial Officer believe the Company's  disclosure  controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange  Act Rules  13a-14 and 15d-14) are  effective to ensure that
information  required  to  be  disclosed  by  the  Company  in  this  report  is
accumulated  and  communicated  to  the  Company's  management,   including  its
principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate,  to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  There were no significant
changes  in  the  Company's  internal  controls  or  other  factors  that  could
significantly  affect these controls  subsequent to the date of their evaluation
and there were no corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and
material weaknesses.

                                       18



                               ESSEX CORPORATION

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Report on Form 8-K

(a)    Exhibits

       Exhibit 99.1 - Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
                      adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
                      Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(b)    Reports on Form 8-K

       (1)  The Company filed a Report on Form 8-K (Items 5 and Item 7 reported)
            on March 7, 2003 announcing the acquisition of Sensys Development
            Laboratories, Inc. (SDL)

       (2)  The Company filed a Report on Form 8-K (Items 5 and 7 reported) on
            April 17, 2003, which report includes the historical financial
            statements of SDL and unaudited pro forma information presenting the
            effect of the acquisition as if it had been completed on
            December 31, 2001.


                                    SIGNATURE

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  caused  this  report to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.

                                ESSEX CORPORATION
                                  (Registrant)

Date:  May 12, 2003
                             /S/ JOSEPH R. KURRY, JR.
                            -------------------------
                              Joseph R. Kurry, Jr.
                              Senior Vice President
                      Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

(Mr. Kurry is the Principal  Financial and Accounting  Officer and has been duly
authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant.)

                                       19



SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

I, Leonard E. Moodispaw, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB of Essex Corporation;

2. Based on my  knowledge,  this  quarterly  report  does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such statements
were made, not  misleading  with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3.  Based  on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I are  responsible  for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d -14) for the registrant and have:

         a.   designed such  disclosure  controls and  procedures to ensure that
              material  information  relating to the  registrant,  including its
              consolidated  subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others  within
              those  entities,  particularly  during  the  period in which  this
              quarterly report is being prepared;

         b.   evaluated  the   effectiveness  of  the  registrant's   disclosure
              controls and  procedures  as of a date within 90 days prior to the
              filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

         c.   presented  in the  quarterly  report  our  conclusions  about  the
              effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on
              our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's   board  of  directors  (or  persons   performing   the  equivalent
functions):

         a.   all  significant  deficiencies  in  the  design  or  operation  of
              internal  controls which could adversely  affect the  registrant's
              ability to record,  process,  summarize and report  financial data
              and have  identified  for the  registrant's  auditors any material
              weaknesses in internal controls; and

         b.   any fraud,  whether or not material,  that involves  management or
              other  employees who have a significant  role in the  registrant's
              internal controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I have  indicated in this
quarterly report whether there were significant  changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to
the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective  actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Dated May 12, 2003                       /S/ LEONARD E. MOODISPAW
                                         -----------------------------------
                                         Leonard E. Moodispaw
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer



                            SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

I, Joseph R. Kurry, Jr., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB of Essex Corporation;

2. Based on my  knowledge,  this  quarterly  report  does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such statements
were made, not  misleading  with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3.  Based  on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I are  responsible  for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d -14) for the registrant and have:

         a.   designed such  disclosure  controls and  procedures to ensure that
              material  information  relating to the  registrant,  including its
              consolidated  subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others  within
              those  entities,  particularly  during  the  period in which  this
              quarterly report is being prepared;

         b.   evaluated  the   effectiveness  of  the  registrant's   disclosure
              controls and  procedures  as of a date within 90 days prior to the
              filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

         c.   presented  in the  quarterly  report  our  conclusions  about  the
              effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on
              our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's   board  of  directors  (or  persons   performing   the  equivalent
functions):

         a.   all  significant  deficiencies  in  the  design  or  operation  of
              internal  controls which could adversely  affect the  registrant's
              ability to record,  process,  summarize and report  financial data
              and have  identified  for the  registrant's  auditors any material
              weaknesses in internal controls; and

         b.   any fraud,  whether or not material,  that involves  management or
              other  employees who have a significant  role in the  registrant's
              internal controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I have  indicated in this
quarterly report whether there were significant  changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to
the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective  actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Dated May 12, 2003                        /S/ JOSEPH R. KURRY, JR.
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Joseph R. Kurry, Jr.
                                          Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
                                          Chief Financial Officer