SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report: July 21, 2004 ESSEX CORPORATION (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Commission File No. 0-10772 Virginia 54-0846569 (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer ID No.) incorporation or organization) 9150 Guilford Road Columbia, Maryland 21046-2306 (Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (301) 939-7000 ESSEX CORPORATION ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS Exhibit 99 Press Release of the Corporation dated July 21, 2004. ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. On July 21, 2004, Essex Corporation announced via press release the Corporation's preliminary revenue results for the second quarter 2004 and updated earlier guidance of 2004 revenue. The Company also announced plans to release its second quarter financial results in a press release after market close on August 10, 2004 with a conference call to follow at 5:00 p.m. A copy of the Corporation's press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99. This Form 8-K, the information contained herein, and the attached exhibit are furnished under Item 12 of Form 8-K and are furnished to, but not filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference to any filing of the Corporation, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific reference to such filing. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. ESSEX CORPORATION /S/ LEONARD E. MOODISPAW -------------------------------------- DATE: July 21, 2004 Leonard E. Moodispaw President and Chief Executive Officer 2 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit NUMBER DESCRIPTION 99 Press Release of the Corporation dated July 21, 2004. 3