Exhibit 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  Registration  Statement of
BBN Corporation on Form S-8 relating to the BBN Corporation 1986 Stock Incentive
Plan of our reports dated August 8, 1996, except as to the information presented
in the first and second  paragraphs of the Subsequent  Events note for which the
dates are August 14, 1996 and September 9, 1996, respectively,  on our audits of
the consolidated  financial  statements and financial  statement schedule of BBN
Corporation as of June 30, 1996 and 1995, and for the years ended June 30, 1996,
1995, and 1994,  which reports are included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
BBN Corporation for the year ended June 30, 1996.


                                                     /s/Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                                     Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Boston, Massachusetts
February  7, 1997

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