Page 1 of 109
Exhibit Index - Page 22

                                    FORM 10-K
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

              [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
 THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
     [ ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                For the transition period from_______ to________

Commission File Number 1-134

                           CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
                           --------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                        13-0612970
 ------------------------------              --------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of              I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
incorporation or organization)

1200 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst, N.J.                      07071
- -------------------------------------                    ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (201) 896-8400
                                                     --------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                                                    Name of each exchange
         Title of each class                         on which registered
         -------------------                       ----------------------
Common Stock, par value $1 per share               New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered  pursuant to Section  12(g) of the Act:  None
                                                              ------
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months,  and (2) has been subject to such filing  requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. Yes [X] No [ ]

The aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates*  of the
Registrant  is  $126,397,420  (based on the  closing  price of the  Registrant's
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 7, 1997 of $53.00.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of
Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                                                   Number of Shares
         Class                               Outstanding at March 7, 1997
        -------                              ----------------------------
Common Stock, par value $1 per share                  5,079,783

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Annual  Report of the  Registrant to  stockholders  for the year
ended December 31, 1996 are  incorporated  by reference into Parts I, II and IV.
Portions  of the Proxy  Statement  of the  Registrant  with  respect to the 1997
Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
- ---------------------
* Shares held by Unitrin, Inc. and Argonaut Group, Inc. have been excluded from
the amount shown solely because of the definition of the term "affiliate" in the
regulations promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Also,
for purposes of this computation, all directors and executive officers of
Registrant have been deemed to be affiliates, but the Registrant disclaims that
any of such directors or officers is an affiliate. See material referred to
under Item 12, below.

Page 2

Introduction

     Pursuant  to  the  Securities   Exchange  Act  of  1934,  the   Registrant,
Curtiss-Wright   Corporation,   ("Curtiss-Wright",   the  "Corporation"  or  the
"Registrant"),  hereby  files its Form 10-K  Annual  Report  for the year  1996.
References  in  the  text  to  the   "Corporation,"   "Curtiss-Wright"   or  the
"Registrant"   include   Curtiss-Wright   Corporation   and   its   consolidated
subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.

                                     PART I
                                     ------
Item 1. Business.
- -----------------
     Curtiss-Wright Corporation was incorporated in 1929 under the laws of the
State of Delaware. Curtiss-Wright operates in two industry segments: Aerospace &
Marine, and Industrial.

                           Aerospace & Marine Segment
                          ---------------------------
     Control and actuation  systems are designed,  developed,  manufactured  and
overhauled  by the  Corporation  for the  aerospace  industry by  Curtiss-Wright
Flight  Systems,  Inc.  ("Flight  Systems"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of the
Registrant.  Manufactured  products  offered consist of  electro-mechanical  and
hydro-mechanical actuation components and systems which are designed to position
aircraft control surfaces,  or to operate  canopies,  landing gear or weapon bay
doors or other  devices.  They  include  actuators  and control  systems for the
Lockheed  Martin F-16 and McDonnell  Douglas F/A-18 fighter  planes,  the Boeing
737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 jet airliners and the Sikorsky Black Hawk and Seahawk
helicopters.
     In 1996 Flight  Systems began  production  deliveries of trailing edge flap
rotary  actuators for Boeing 767 aircraft and trailing  edge flap  transmissions
for the new Boeing 737-700 aircraft.  These production contracts run through the
year 2002. Flight Systems also manufactures trailing edge flap transmissions for
the Boeing 757 aircraft.


Page 3

     Flight  Systems is a major  supplier for the Lockheed  Martin F-22 Advanced
Tactical  Fighter plane which has been  described as the Air Force's  future air
superiority  fighter.  While  substantial  production  on  this  program  is not
expected for several years,  the design phase has been completed,  test hardware
has been  delivered and the system's  hardware  qualification  test phase is now
proceeding.
     Flight  Systems  continues  to  work  on  a  control  system  for  the  new
Bell/Boeing tilt rotor V-22 aircraft which is also in the qualification  testing
and initial  hardware  phase of an  engineering  and  manufacturing  development
program.  Flight  Systems  began  delivering  hardware in 1996 and has completed
safety of flight testing. Qualification testing is proceeding.
     Engineering,  manufacturing and development work is also proceeding for the
FA-18E/F  Lex Vent Drive System  under a contract  awarded in 1993,  with actual
production currently scheduled to begin in 1999.
     Flight Systems' manufactured products are sold in competition with a number
of other  systems  suppliers,  some of which  have  broader  product  lines  and
financial  resources  greater  than  those of the  Corporation  and  significant
technological and human resources.  This Curtiss-Wright unit and these suppliers
compete  to have  their  systems  selected  to  perform  control  and  actuation
functions on new aircraft.  Flight  Systems  competes  primarily on the basis of
engineering capability,  quality and price.  Competition has intensified because
of relatively low production  levels for military aircraft in recent years and a
limited  number of new  production  programs for both  military  and  commercial
aircrafts.  Flight  Systems has  achieved  some  degree of success in  capturing
programs for which it was not the original  supplier,  such as the actuators and
transmissions  referred to above for the Boeing 767 and 757  aircraft.  Products
are marketed directly to Flight Systems' customers by employees.


Page 4

     Flight Systems also provides the commercial airlines,  military and general
aviation  with  component  overhaul  and repair  services.  Before  1996  Flight
Systems'  overhaul  activities were in large measure limited to furnishing spare
parts for, and the overhaul and repair of components  that it had  manufactured.
The scope of overhaul  services was increased in 1996,  with the  acquisition of
the Accessory  Services unit of Aviall,  Inc. This  acquisition  expanded Flight
Systems'  overhaul  capability  to  include a variety of  hydraulic,  pneumatic,
mechanical,  electro-mechanical,  electrical and electronic  components found on
Boeing, McDonnell Douglas,  Lockheed Martin and Airbus aircraft.  Curtiss-Wright
Flight Systems Europe A/S (an 80% owned subsidiary  located in Denmark) provides
overhaul and repair  services,  spare parts and  components  to the European and
North African markets.
     Flight Systems'  overhaul services are sold in competition with a number of
other overhaul and repair  facilities.  Competition in the overhaul  business is
based upon quality,  delivery and price. Marketing is accomplished through sales
representatives and by direct sales. The overhaul business is not dependent upon
any single customer.
     Metal Improvement Company,  Inc. ("MIC"), a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the
Corporation,  performs  shot-peening and  peen-forming  operations for aerospace
manufacturers  and their  suppliers.  Shot  peening is a physical  process  used
primarily to increase  fatigue life in metal  parts.  MIC provides  shot-peening
services to jet engine  manufacturers,  landing  gear  suppliers  and many other
aerospace  manufacturers.  Peen forming is a process used to form  curvatures in
panel shape metal parts to very close  tolerances.  These panels are used as the
"wing skins" after assembly on many commercial,  military and executive aircraft
in service today.  Currently,  MIC is  peen-forming  "wing skins" for Airbus and
McDonnell Douglas commercial aircraft.


Page 5

     MIC's  marketing is accomplished  through direct sales.  While MIC competes
with a great many firms and often deals with customers  which have the resources
to  perform  for  themselves  the same  services  as are  provided  by MIC,  MIC
considers  that its greater  technical  expertise  and  superior  Page 5 quality
provide it with a competitive advantage.
     Curtiss-Wright  Flow Control  Corporation  ("CWFC"),  formerly named Target
Rock Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, manufactures and
refurbishes  highly  engineered valves of various types and sizes, such as motor
operated and solenoid  operated globe,  gate,  control and safety relief valves.
The ultimate  customer  for the CWFC valves for the marine  industry is the U.S.
Navy,  which  uses  them in  nuclear  propulsion  systems.  CWFC  also  supplies
actuators  and  controllers  for  valves of its own  manufacture  as well as for
valves manufactured by others. Sales are made by responding directly to requests
for proposals  from  customers.  The  production of valves for the U. S. Navy is
characterized  by long lead times  from  order  placement  to  delivery.  CWFC's
customers are  sophisticated  and  demanding.  Strong  competition  in valves is
encountered  primarily  from a small  number of domestic  firms in the  military
market.  Despite a declining  market,  CWFC has been able to increase its market
share  and to  maintain  its sales  volume.  Performance,  quality,  technology,
delivery and price are the principal areas of competition.
     Although  the  Aerospace  & Marine  segment  had no  single  customer  that
accounted  for 10% or more of  total  sales in 1996 and  1995,  the  Corporation
believes that the segment would be materially affected by the loss of any one of
several important customers.  A substantial portion of segment sales are made to
the Boeing  Company for  commercial  transport  aircraft and to Lockheed  Martin
Corporation  for F-22  engineering  and design  work and for F-16  actuators.  A
substantial  amount of the sales of CWFC are made to the  Westinghouse  Electric
Corporation  for United States Navy end use.  Furthermore,  the  possibility  of
future reductions in military programs due to reduced spending continues to


Page 6

exist. U.S. Government direct and end use sales of this segment in 1996, 1995
and 1994 were $37.4, $38.0 and $44.0 million, respectively.
     The backlog of the  Aerospace  & Marine  segment as of January 31, 1997 was
$102.1  million as compared  with $119.4  million as of January 31, 1996. Of the
January  31, 1997  amount,  approximately  64% is expected to be shipped  during
1997.  None of the  business of this  segment is  seasonal.  Raw  materials  are
generally available in adequate quantities from a number of suppliers.

                               Industrial Segment
                               ------------------
     The MIC  subsidiary  of the  Corporation  is  engaged  in the  business  of
performing  shot peening and heat  treating for a broad  spectrum of  industrial
customers, principally in the automotive,  agricultural equipment,  construction
equipment and oil and gas industries.  Heat treating is a metallurgical  process
used  primarily to harden metals in order to provide  increased  durability  and
service life. MIC marketing and sales activity are done on a direct sales basis.
Operations  are conducted in facilities in the United States,  Canada,  England,
France and Germany.  Although  numerous  companies  compete in the  shot-peening
field,  and many  customers  for  shot-peening  services  have the  resources to
perform  such  services  themselves,  MIC  believes  that its greater  technical
know-how provides it with a competitive advantage.  MIC experiences  substantial
competition from other companies in  heat-treating  metal  components.  MIC also
competes on the basis of quality, service, price and delivery.
     MIC is also engaged in the business of precision  stamping and finishing of
high strength steel reed valves used by various  manufacturers  of products such
as refrigerators, air compressors, and small engines.
         The Corporation's  Flight Systems subsidiary has designed and developed
a commercial  rescue tool using its power hinge  aerospace  technology  which is
being marketed  under the name Power  Hawk.(TM) The primary use for this tool is
the extrication of automobile  accident victims. A distribution  network for the
United  States  market has been  completed  and  limited  commercial  sales have
commenced.



Page 7

     The CWFC subsidiary of the Corporation  manufactures and refurbishes highly
engineered  valves of various types and sizes for  commercial  markets,  such as
motor  operated and solenoid  operated  globe,  gate,  control and safety relief
valves.  These valves are used to control the flow of liquids and gases,  and to
provide  safe  relief in the event of system  overpressure  in new and  existing
commercial  nuclear and fossil fuel power plants and in  facilities  for process
steam  regeneration  in the petroleum,  paper and chemical  industries.  It also
supplies  actuators  and  controllers  for its own  valves as well as for valves
manufactured by others. CWFC's packless electronic control valve is offered as a
replacement item for competitors'  commercial  valves  containing  packing.  The
success of this valve is dependent upon the future  application of stringent new
Federal standards  limiting air pollution from "fugitive"  emissions from valves
now widely in use.
     CWFC's  products are sold to domestic and foreign end users.  Foreign sales
have been for use in nuclear power plant construction  projects  principally for
Asian markets.
     Strong  competition in valves is encountered  primarily from a large number
of domestic and foreign  sources in the commercial  market.  Sales to commercial
users are accomplished  through  independent  marketing  representatives  and by
direct sales.  These valve products are sold to customers who are  sophisticated
and  demanding.  Performance,  quality,  technology,  delivery and price are the
principal areas of competition.
     The business of the Industrial segment is not materially dependent upon any
single  source of supply.  The backlog of this segment  (which has  historically
been low  relative  to sales of the  segment)  as of January  31,  1997 was $2.8
million as compared with $ 4.4 million as of January 31, 1996.  Virtually all of
the  January 31,  1997  backlog is  expected to be shipped in 1997.  None of the
business of this segment is seasonal.  Raw  materials,  though not  particularly
significant to these operations, are available in adequate quantities.



Page 8
                                Other Information
                                -----------------
Government Sales
- ----------------
     In 1996,  1995 and 1994,  direct sales to the United States  Government and
sales  for  United  States  Government  end use  aggregated  23%,  25% and  31%,
respectively,  of total sales for all segments.  United States Government sales,
both direct and subcontract,  are generally made under one of the standard types
of government contracts, including fixed price and fixed price- redeterminable.
     In accordance with normal practice in the case of United States  Government
business, contracts and orders are subject to partial or complete termination at
any time,  at the  option of the  customer.  In the event of a  termination  for
convenience by the  Government,  there  generally are provisions for recovery by
the Corporation of its allowable incurred costs and a proportionate share of the
profit or fee on the work done, consistent with regulations of the United States
Government.  Subcontracts for Navy nuclear valves usually provide that CWFC must
absorb most of any overrun of "target"  costs. In the event that there is a cost
underrun,  however,  the customer is to recoup a portion of the  underrun  based
upon a formula in which the customer's portion increases as the underrun exceeds
certain established levels.
     It is the policy of the Corporation to seek customary  progress payments on
certain of its  contracts.  Where such payments are obtained by the  Corporation
under United States Government prime contracts or subcontracts, they are secured
by a lien in favor  of the  Government  on the  materials  and  work in  process
allocable or chargeable to the respective contracts.  (See Notes 1.C, 4 and 5 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements, on pages 25, 26 and 27 of the 1996 Annual
Report to  Stockholders,  which is attached hereto as Exhibit 13 and hereinafter
referred to as the "Registrant's Annual Report".) In the case of most valve




Page 9

products  for United  States  Government  end use,  the  subcontracts  typically
provide for the  retention  by the  customer of  stipulated  percentages  of the
contract price, pending completion of contract closeout conditions.

Research and Development
- ------------------------
     Research and development expenditures sponsored by the Corporation amounted
to  approximately  $997,000 in 1996 as compared to about  $1,180,000 in 1995 and
$1,196,000 in 1994. During 1996, Curtiss-Wright spent an additional $ 15,248,000
for  customer-sponsored  development  work. The Corporation owns and is licensed
under a number of United  States and  foreign  patents  and patent  applications
which have been obtained or filed over a period of years.  The Corporation  does
not consider that the successful conduct of its business is materially dependent
upon the protection of any one or more of these patents,  patent applications or
patent license agreements under which it now operates.

Environmental Protection
- ------------------------
     The  effect  of  compliance  upon  the   Corporation   with  present  legal
requirements  concerning  protection  of the  environment  is  described  in the
material in Note 11 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements which appears on
page 30 of the  Registrant's  Annual Report and is  incorporated by reference in
this Form 10-K Annual Report.

Employees
- ---------
     At the end of 1996, the Corporation had approximately 1,700 employees. Most
production  employees  are  represented  by  labor  unions  and are  covered  by
collective bargaining agreements.

Certain Financial Information
- -----------------------------




Page 10

     The industry segment information is described in the material in Note 15 to
the Consolidated  Financial Statements,  which appears on Pages 32 and 33 of the
Registrant's  Annual Report and is  incorporated  by reference in this Form 10-K
Annual Report. It should be noted that in recent years a significant  percentage
of the pre-tax earnings from operations of the Corporation has been derived from
European  operations of MIC. The Corporation does not regard the risks attendant
to these foreign  operations to be materially  greater than those  applicable to
its business in the U.S.

Item 2.  Properties.
- --------------------
     The principal  physical  properties of the Corporation and its subsidiaries
are described below:

                                    Owned/
Location         Description(1)     Leased       Principal Use

Wood-Ridge,      2,322,000          Owned(2)     Multi-tenant industrial
New Jersey       sq. ft. on                      rental facility.
                 144 acres

Fairfield,       450,000            Owned(3)     Manufacture of actuation
New Jersey       sq. ft. on                      and control systems
                 26.7 acres                      (Aerospace & Marine segment).

Brampton,        87,000             Owned        Shot-peening and peen-forming
Ontario,         sq. ft. on                      operations (Aerospace &
Canada           8 acres                         Marine segment).

East             195,000            Owned(4)     Manufacture of valves
Farmingdale,     sq. ft. on                      (Aerospace & Marine
New York         11 acres                        and Industrial segments).

Shelby,          121,000            Owned(5)     Manufacture and overhaul of
North Carolina   sq. ft. on                      actuation and control systems
                 29 acres.                       (Aerospace & Marine segment).

Miami, Florida   65,000             Leased       Overhaul of aircraft components
                 sq. ft. on                      (Aerospace & Marine segment).
                 2.6 acres.

Columbus,        75,000             Owned        Heat-treating
Ohio             sq. ft. on                      (Industrial segment).
                 9 acres

Page 11

Deeside,         81,000             Owned        Shot-peening  and peen-forming
Wales            sq. ft. on                      (Aerospace & Marine segment).
United Kingdom   2.2 acres

(1)     Sizes are approximate.  Unless otherwise  indicated,  all properties are
        owned in fee, are not subject to any major  encumbrance and are occupied
        primarily by factory and/or warehouse buildings.

(2)     Approximately   2,230,000   square   feet  are   leased  to  others  and
        approximately  another  92,000  square feet are vacant and available for
        lease.

(3)      Approximately 247,000 square feet are leased to other parties.

(4)      Title to  approximately  six  acres of land  and the  building  located
         thereon is held by the Suffolk County Industrial  Development Agency in
         connection with the issuance of an industrial revenue bond.

(5)      The  Corporation's  facility in Shelby,  North Carolina was expanded in
         1996 because of new  contractual  awards and  increases  in  commercial
         overhaul activities.

     In addition to the  properties  listed above,  MIC  (Aerospace & Marine and
Industrial segments) leases an aggregate of approximately 304,000 square feet of
space at nineteen different  locations in the United States and England and owns
buildings  encompassing about 294,000 square feet in fifteen different locations
in the United  States,  France,  Germany,  Belgium and  England.  Curtiss-Wright
Flight Systems,  Inc.  leases a 25,000 square foot building in Lattimore,  North
Carolina for warehouse  purposes.  Curtiss-Wright  Flight Systems Europe A/S, an
80% owned subsidiary,  leases 8,000 square feet of space in Karup,  Denmark. The
Corporation  leases   approximately  14,000  square  feet  of  office  space  in
Lyndhurst, New Jersey, for its corporate office.
     It is the  Corporation's  opinion  that  the  buildings  on the  properties
referred to in this Item generally are well maintained,  in good condition,  and
are  suitable  and  adequate  for the uses  presently  being made of them by the
Corporation. No examination of titles to properties owned by the Corporation has
been made for the purposes of this Form 10-K Report.



Page 12

     The  following  undeveloped  tracts,  owned  by  the  Registrant,  are  not
attributable  to a  particular  industry  segment  and are being  held for sale:
Hardwick Township,  New Jersey,  678 acres;  Fairfield,  New Jersey,  12.3 acres
subdivided from the Fairfield facility's property;  Perico Island,  Florida, 158
acres, the bulk of which is below water; and Nantucket, Massachusetts, 33 acres.
A portion of the Perico Island property,  and all of the Nantucket  parcel,  are
covered by contracts for their sale. The Registrant owns approximately 7.4 acres
of land in Lyndhurst,  New Jersey which is leased,  on a long-term basis, to the
owner of the commercial building located on the land.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
- --------------------------
         In  the  ordinary   course  of  business,   the   Corporation  and  its
subsidiaries  are subject to various  pending  claims,  lawsuits and  contingent
liabilities.  The Corporation  does not believe that disposition of any of these
matters will have a material  adverse effect on the  Corporation's  consolidated
financial position or results of operations.  Item 4. Submission of Matters to a

Vote of Security Holders.
- -------------------------
     Not applicable.

Executive Officers of the Registrant.
- -------------------------------------
     The following table sets forth the names,  ages, and principal  occupations
and employment of all executive officers of Registrant. The period of service is
for at least the past five years and such  occupations  and  employment are with
Curtiss-Wright Corporation, except as otherwise indicated:

Name                Principal Occupation
                    and Employment                                          Age

David Lasky         Chairman (since May 1995) and President (since May 1993);
                    previously Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
                    Secretary.                                               64

Robert E. Mutch     Executive Vice President; President of Curtiss-Wright
                    Flight Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary.         52

Page 13

Gerald Nachman      Executive Vice President; President of Metal Improvement
                    Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary.                67

George J. Yohrling  Vice President; Senior Vice President since July 1996 of
                    Curtiss-Wright Flight Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned
                    subsidiary; previously Vice President and General Manager
                    of Curtiss-Wright Flight Systems/Shelby, Inc., then a
                    wholly owned subsidiary.                                 56

Martin A. Benante   Vice President (since April 1996); President (since March
                    1995) of Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
                    ("CWFC") a wholly owned subsidiary; previously Vice
                    President/General Manager of CWFC.                       44

Robert A. Bosi      Vice President-Finance (since January 1993); previously
                    Treasurer.                                               41

Dana M. Taylor, Jr. Secretary, General Counsel (since May 1993); Assistant
                    General Counsel (July 1992 to May 1993); previously
                    Senior Attorney.                                         64

Gary J. Benschip    Treasurer (since January 1993); previously Assistant
                    Treasurer.                                               49

Kenneth P. Slezak   Controller (since July, 1990).                           45

     The executive officers of the Registrant are elected annually by the Board
of Directors at its organization meeting in April and hold office until the
organization meeting in the next subsequent year and until their respective
successors are chosen and qualified.
     There are no family relationships among these officers, or between any of
them and any director of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, nor any arrangements or
understandings between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the
officer was elected.

                                     PART II
                                     -------

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Stock
           and Related Stockholder Matters.
- ---------------------------------------------

     See the information contained in the Registrant's Annual Report on page 35
under the captions "Common Stock Price Range," "Dividends," and "Stock Exchange
Listing" which informa tion is incorporated herein by reference. The approximate
number of record holders of the Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of Registrant was
4,500 as of March 14, 1997.


Page 14

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.
- ---------------------------------
     See the information contained in the Registrant's Annual Report on page 34
under the caption "Consolidated Selected Financial Data," which information is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
            Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
- ----------------------------------------------------------
     See the information contained in the Registrant's Annual Report at pages 16
through 19, under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," which information is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
- ----------------------------------------------------
     The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant and its
subsidiaries, and supplementary financial information, are included in the
Registrant's Annual Report, which information is incorporated herein by
reference.

     Consolidated  Statements  of Earnings for the years ended  December 31,
     1996, 1995 and 1994, page 21.

     Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995, page 22.

     Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
     1996, 1995 and 1994, page 23.

     Consolidated  Statements  of  Stockholders'  Equity for the years ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, page 24.

     Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  pages 25  through  33,
     inclusive, and Quarterly Results of Operations on page 34 .

     Report of  Independent  Accountants  for the three years ended December
     31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, page 20.

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
         on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
- ------------------------------------------------
     Not applicable.



Page 15

                                    PART III
                                    --------
Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers
             of the Registrant.
- ------------------------------------------
     Information required in connection with directors and executive officers is
set forth under the title "Executive Officers of the Registrant," in Part I
hereof, at pages 12 and 13, and under the caption "Election of Directors," in
the Registrant's Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by
reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.
- --------------------------------
     Information required by this Item is included under the captions "Executive
Compensation" and in the "Summary Compensation Table" in the Registrant's Proxy
Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
              Owners and Management.
- --------------------------------------------------
     See the following portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement, all of
which information is incorporated herein by reference: (i) the material under
the caption "Security Ownership and Transactions with Certain Beneficial Owners"
and (ii) material included under the caption "Election of Directors."

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
     Information required by this Item is included under the captions "Executive
Compensation" and "Security Ownership and Transactions with Certain Beneficial
Owners" in the Registrant's Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated
herein by reference.

                                     PART IV
                                     -------

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement
             Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.
- -----------------------------------------------




Page 16


(a)(1)   Financial Statements:

         The following  Consolidated  Financial Statements of the Registrant and
         supplementary  financial  information,  included in Registrant's Annual
         Report, are incorporated herein by reference in Item 8:

         (i)   Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December
               31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

         (ii)  Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995.

         (iii) Consolidated  Statements  of Cash  Flows for the  years  ended
               December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

         (iv)  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years
               ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

         (v)   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

         (vi)  Report of Independent Accountants for the years ended December
               31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

(a)(2)   Financial Statement Schedules:

The items listed below are presented herein on pages 20 through 21.

               Report of Independent Accountants on Financial Statement Schedule

               Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


               Schedules  other than  those  listed  above have been  omitted
               since they are not required,  are not  applicable,  or because
               the  required   information   is  included  in  the  financial
               statements or notes thereto.

(a)(3)   Exhibits:

              (3)(i)   Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended May
                       8, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to
                       Registrant's  Form 10-Q Report for the quarter  ended
                       June 30, 1987).

              (3)(ii)  By-Laws as amended through January 30, 1997

              (4)(i)   Agreement to furnish to the Commission  upon request,
                       a copy of any long  term  debt  instrument  where the
                       amount of the securities  authorized  thereunder does
                       not exceed 10% of the total assets of the  Registrant
                       and  its   subsidiaries   on  a  consolidated   basis
                       (incorporated   by   reference   to   Exhibit   4  to
                       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                       ended December 31, 1985).


Page 17

              (4)(ii)  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  dated  October 29, 1991
                       between Registrant,  the Lenders parties thereto from
                       time to time,  the Issuing Banks  referred to therein
                       and Mellon Bank, N.A. Article I Definitions,  Section
                       1.01  Certain   Definitions;   Article  VII  Negative
                       Covenants,  Section 7.07, Limitation on Dividends and
                       Stock  Acquisitions  (incorporated  by  reference  to
                       Exhibit 10(b), to  Registrant's  Form 10-Q Report for
                       the quarter ended September 30, 1991).  Amendment No.
                       1 dated  January  7, 1992 and  Amendment  No. 2 dated
                       October 1, 1992 to said  Agreement  (incorporated  by
                       reference  to Exhibit  4(ii) to  Registrant's  Annual
                       Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,
                       1993).  Third Amendment to Credit  Agreement dated as
                       of October 29, 1994  (incorporated  by  reference  to
                       Exhibit (4)(ii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                       10-K for the year ended  December 31,  1994).  Fourth
                       Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of October 29,
                       1996.

              (4)(iii) Short-Term  Credit  Agreement dated as of October 29,
                       1994 among Curtiss- Wright Corporation,  as Borrower,
                       the Lenders  Parties and Mellon Bank,  N.A., as Agent
                       (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  (4)(iii) to
                       Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                       ended  December 31, 1994).  First  Amendment to Short
                       Term Credit Agreement dated as of October 26, 1996.

         (10) Material Contracts:

              (i)      Modified  Incentive  Compensation  Plan,  as  amended
                       November  9,  1989   (incorporated  by  reference  to
                       Exhibit  10(a) to  Registrant's  Form 10-Q Report for
                       the quarter ended September 30, 1989).

              (ii)     Curtiss-Wright  Corporation 1995 Long-Term  Incentive
                       Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 to
                       Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement No.
                       95602114 filed December 15, 1995).

              (iii)    Standard   Severance   Agreement   with  Officers  of
                       Curtiss-Wright  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                       10(iv) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                       the year ended December 31, 1991).

              (iv)     Retirement  Benefits  Restoration Plan as amended May
                       9, 1989  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10(b)
                       to  Registrant's  Form 10-Q  Report  for the  quarter
                       ended September 30, 1989).

              (v)      Curtiss-Wright   Corporation  Retirement  Plan  dated
                       September  1,  1994  (incorporated  by  reference  to
                       Exhibit  (10)(vi) to  Registrant's  Annual  Report on
                       Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994).



Page 18

              (vi)     Curtiss-Wright Corporation Savings and Investment Plan
                       dated March 1, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                       (10)(vii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                       the year ended  December  31, 1994).

              (vii)    Curtiss-Wright   Corporation   1996  Stock  Plan  for
                       Non-Employee Directors  (incorporated by reference to
                       Exhibit  4.1 to  Registrant's  Form S-8  Registration
                       Statement No. 96583181, filed June 19, 1996).

         (13) Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31,
              1996.

         (21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

         (23) Consents of Experts and Counsel - see Consent of Independent
              Accountants.

         (27) Financial Data Schedule.

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         No report on Form 8-K was filed during the three months ended December
         31, 1996.


Page 19

                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                       CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
                                            (Registrant)

                                       By:  /s/ David Lasky
                                                David Lasky
                                                Chairman and President

Date:  March 14, 1997

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date:  March 14, 1997                  By:   /s/ Robert A. Bosi
                                                 Robert A. Bosi
                                                 Vice President - Finance

Date:  March 14, 1997                  By:   /s/ Kenneth P. Slezak
                                                 Kenneth P. Slezak
                                                 Controller

Date:  March 11, 1997                  By:   /s/ Thomas R. Berner
                                                 Thomas R. Berner
                                                 Director

Date:  March 11, 1997                  By:   /s/ James B. Busey
                                                 James B. Busey IV
                                                 Director

Date:  March 14, 1997                  By:   /s/ David Lasky
                                                 David Lasky
                                                 Director

Date:  March 14, 1997                  By:   /s/ William B. Mitchell
                                                 William B. Mitchell
                                                 Director

Date:  March 13, 1997                  By:   /s/ John R. Myers
                                                 John R. Myers
                                                 Director

Date:  March 11, 1997                  By:   /s/ William W. Sihler
                                                 William W. Sihler
                                                 Director

Date:  March   , 1997                  By:
                                                 J. McLain Stewart
                                                 Director


Page 20




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE



Our audits of the consolidated  financial  statements  referred to in our report
dated  January  30,  1997  appearing  on  page  20 of  the  1996  Curtiss-Wright
Corporation  Annual Report (which report and consolidated  financial  statements
are  incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included
an audit of the  Financial  Statement  Schedule  listed in Item 14(a)(2) of this
Form 10-K. In our opinion, this Financial Statement Schedule presents fairly, in
all  material  respects,   the  information  set  forth  therein  when  read  in
conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.








/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP

PRICE WATERHOUSE  LLP
Morristown, New Jersey
January 30, 1997



Page 21

                   CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION and QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
              for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                 (In thousands)





                                                                               Additions
                                                                              Charged to
                                              Balance at      Charged to         Other                            Balance at
                                              Beginning       Costs and        Accounts -       Deductions -         End of
Description                                    of Period       Expenses         Describe          Describe           Period

Deducted from assets to which they apply:

  Reserves for doubtful accounts and notes:

                                                                                                  
    Year-ended December 31, 1996                 $   760           $506           $    300(A)      $    9        $1,557
                                                 =======           ====           ========         ======        ======


    Year-ended December 31, 1995                 $   694           $ 93                            $    27         $ 760
                                                 =======           ====                            =======         =====


    Year-ended December 31, 1994                 $   893           $ 32                            $   231(C)      $ 694
                                                 =======           ====                            =======         =====


 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance:


    Year-ended December 31, 1996                 $1,094            $171                             $  289(D)     $1,212
                                                 ======            ====                             ======        ======


    Year-ended December 31, 1995                 $5,460            $ 52          $(3,058)(B)        $1,360(D)     $1,094
                                                 ======            ====          =======            ======        ======


    Year-ended December 31, 1994                 $5,861            $193                            $   594(D)     $5,460
                                                 ======            ====                            =======        ======






Notes:

(A)  Acquired from the purchase of Accessory Services business.

(B)  Expiration of available capital-loss carryforwards.

(C)  Write off of bad debts.

(D)  Utilization of tax benefits under capital-loss carryforward.



Page 22

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------
                        The following is an index of the
                       exhibits included in this report or
                        incorporated herein by reference.


Exhibit                           Name                                     Page
No.

(3)(i)    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended May 8, 1987       *
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Registrant's Form
          10-Q Report for the quarter ended June 30, 1987).

(3)(ii)   By-Laws as amended through January 30, 1997.                       24

(4)(i)    Agreement to furnish to the Commission upon request, a copy of      *
          any long term debt instrument where the amount of the securities
          authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets
          of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Registrant's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1985).

(4)(ii)   Revolving Credit Agreement dated October 29, 1991 between           *
          Registrant, the Lenders parties thereto from time to time, the
          Issuing Banks referred to therein and Mellon Bank, N.A. Article
          I Definitions, Section 1.01 Certain Definitions; Article VII
          Negative Covenants, Section 7.07, Limitation on Dividends and
          Stock Acquisitions (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b),
          to Registrant's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended
          September 30, 1991).  Amendment No. 1 dated January 7,
          1992 and Amendment No. 2 dated October 1, 1992 to said
          Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(ii) to
          Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
          December 31, 1993).

          Third Amendment to Credit  Agreement dated as of October 29,        *
          1994 (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  (4)(ii)  to
          Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year
          ended December 31, 1994).

          Fourth  Amendment to Credit  Agreement dated as of October 29,
          1996.                                                              54

(4)(iii)  Short-Term Credit Agreement dated as of October 29, 1994            *
          among Curtiss-Wright Corporation, as Borrower, the Lenders
          parties and Mellon Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          (4)(iii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1994).


Page 23

          First Amendment to Short Term Credit Agreement dated as of
          October 26, 1996.                                                  61

(10)(i)** Modified Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended November 9,        *
          1989 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to
          Registrant's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended September
          30, 1989).

(10)(ii)**Curtiss-Wright Corporation 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan            *
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Form S-8
          Registration Statement No. 95602114 filed December 15, 1995).

(10)(iii)**Standard Severance Agreement with Officers of Curtiss-Wright       *
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iv) to Registrant's Annual
           Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991).

(10)(iv)** Retirement Benefits Restoration Plan as amended May 9, 1989,       *
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to Registrant's Form
           10-Q Report for the quarter ended September 30, 1989).

(10)(v)**  Curtiss-Wright Corporation Retirement Plan dated September         *
           1, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(vi) to
           Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
           December 31, 1994).

(10)(vi)** Amended Curtiss-Wright Corporation Savings and Investment          *
           Plan dated March 1, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
           (10)(vii) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
           fiscal year ended December 31, 1994).

(10(vii)** Curtiss-Wright Corporation 1996 Stock Plan for Non-Employee        *
           Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's
           Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 96583181 filed June 19, 1996).

(13)       Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31,
           1996 (only those portions expressly incorporated herein by 
           reference in this document are deemed "filed.")                   67

(21)       Subsidiaries of the Registrant                                   107

(23)       Consents of Experts and Counsel - see Consent of Independent
           Accountants                                                      108

(27)       Financial Data Schedule                                          109
- ------------------------
         *  Incorporated by reference as noted.
         ** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.