EXHIBIT  23.1

                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We  consent  to  the  incorporation  by  reference in the Registration
Statement   (Form  S-8,  No.  333-___________)   pertaining  to   the  1988
Incentive Stock Option Plan of Welkin Associates, Ltd., of our report dated
October 8, 1997, with respect  to  the consolidated financial statements of
Nichols Research Corporation included  in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the  year ended August 31, 1997, filed with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.

                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Birmingham, Alabama
August 10, 1998