Exhibit 23.2

               Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
(Form S-8, No.  333-___________)  pertaining to the Nichols Research Corporation
1997 Stock  Option  Plan of our  report  dated  October 7, 1998,  except for the
restatement related to acquired in-process technology referred to in Note 11, as
to which the date is January 7, 1999, 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, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Birmingham, Alabama
September 20, 1999