Note: The balance sheet at October 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

Applied Signal Technology, Inc. was incorporated in California on January 12, 1984. We offer advanced digital signal processing products, systems, and services used in reconnaissance of telecommunications signals. Our primary customers are the United States Government and its foreign allies.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2002. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 1, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending October 31, 2003.

We account for cost reimbursement contracts by charging contract costs to operations as incurred and recognizing contract revenues and profits by applying an estimated fee rate to actual costs on an individual contract basis. Cost-reimbursement contracts represented approximately 72% and 74% of contract revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2003, respectively, and approximately 60% and 62% of contract revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2002, respectively.

We account for fixed-price contracts by using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under this method, contract costs are charged to operations as incurred. A portion of the contract revenue, based on estimated profits and the degree of completion of the contract as measured by a comparison of the actual and estimated costs, is recognized as revenue each period. Unexpected increases in the cost to develop or manufacture a product under a fixed-price contract, whether due to inaccurate estimates in the bidding process, unanticipated increases in material costs, inefficiencies, or other factors are borne by us, and could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations. Fixed-price contracts represent approximately 28% and 26% of contract revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2003, respectively, and approximately 40% and 38% of contract revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2002, respectively.

For those signed contracts in which all of the terms have not yet been finalized, revenue does not include an estimated fee rate on cost. Management reviews contract performance, costs incurred, and estimated completion costs regularly, and adjusts revenues and profits on contracts in the period in which changes become determinable. Anticipated losses on contracts are recorded as an adjustment to contract costs in the period in which they become determinable.

Indirect rate variance. We record contract revenues and costs for interim reporting purposes based on annual targeted indirect rates. At year-end, the revenues and costs are adjusted for actual indirect rates. During our interim reporting periods, variances may accumulate between the actual indirect rates and the annual targeted rates. All timing-related indirect spending variances are inventoried as part of work in process during these interim reporting periods. These rates are reviewed regularly, and we record adjustments for any permanent variances in the period they become known. Please refer to "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2: Inventory" for the current year inventoried spending variance.

Our accounting policy is based on management’s belief that such a variance will be absorbed by expected contract activities during the remainder of the year. If contract activities do not reach planned levels, there are alternatives we can utilize to absorb the variance: we can adjust some of our planned indirect spending during the year, modify our billing rates to our customers, or record adjustments to expense based on estimates of future contract activities.

Award fees. Our policy for recognizing interim fees on our award-fee contracts is based on management’s assessment, on a contract-by-contract basis, as to the likelihood that the award fee or an incremental portion of the award fee will be earned. Management’s assessments are based on numerous factors including: contract terms, nature of the work to be performed, our relationship and history with the customer, our history with similar types of projects, and our current and anticipated performance on the specific contract. No award fee is recognized until management determines that it is probable that an award fee or portion thereof will be earned.

Accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are segregated between billed and unbilled accounts. For cost-reimbursement contracts, we bill incurred costs and a portion of our fees on a regular basis. Under fixed-price contracts, we either regularly progress bill 90% of incurred costs or bill contract costs on a milestone or unit of delivery basis. Unbilled amounts result from recognition of contract revenue in advance of contractual billing or progress billing terms.

We consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consisted principally of money market securities at both August 1, 2003 and October 31, 2002.

The following tables summarize our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term securities (in thousands):

The following table summarizes the maturities of our investments (in thousands):

Basic net income per share is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares used in the basic earnings per share calculation, plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive securities outstanding under the treasury stock method. The per share data is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

In the second quarter of fiscal year 2003, the Board of Directors announced a $0.25 per share annual dividend, payable over four quarters at the rate of $0.0625 per share per quarter. Dividends of approximately $646,000 and $668,000 were paid on May 16, 2003 and August 15, 2003, respectively, to shareholders of record at May 2, 2003 and August 1, 2003, respectively. Thereafter, dividends will be payable on November 14, 2003 and February 14, 2004 to shareholders of record at October 31, 2003 and January 30, 2004, respectively, and on such future dates that the Board of Directors may determine.

The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):

As of August 1, 2003, accumulated unrealized gain on securities was approximately $42,000. As of October 31, 2002, accumulated unrealized gain on securities was approximately $65,000.

We apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting for our stock option plans. We have opted, under SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS 148, to disclose our stock-based compensation with no financial statement effect. Under APB 25, no stock-based compensation expense is charged for options granted at an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Had compensation expense for our stock plans been determined based upon the fair value at the grant date for awards under these plans consistent with the methodology prescribed under SFAS 123, our pro forma net income and net income per share would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

The components of inventory consist of the following (in thousands):

At August 1, 2003, the favorable inventoried indirect rate variance was approximately $1,185,000. Management determined that a portion of this favorable indirect rate variance would remain unabsorbed by the end of fiscal year 2003, resulting in higher operating income. Consequently, at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2003, a $350,000 adjustment was recorded to increase operating income and reduce the favorable inventoried rate variance to approximately $835,000. This adjustment is based on our best estimate and is subject to uncertainty. At August 2, 2002, the unfavorable inventoried indirect rate variance was approximately $2,583,000. At October 31, 2002, costs were recorded at actual indirect rates, and therefore the rate variance balance was zero. For further information on our accounting policy for this inventoried variance, see "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."

Inventory activities during the third quarter of fiscal year 2003 included a total reduction to work in process and finished goods of approximately $606,000 as a result of scrapping obsolete products. We recorded a charge to contract costs related to this activity in the third quarter of fiscal year 2003.

Precontract costs represent costs incurred in connection with ongoing contracts for which contract modifications have not been definitized as well as costs incurred in anticipation of identified expected future contract awards.

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. SFAS 146 addresses the financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with an exit activity, including restructuring, or with a disposal of long-lived assets. Exit activities include, but are not limited to, eliminating or reducing product lines, terminating employees and contracts, and relocating plant facilities or personnel. SFAS 146 specifies that a company will record a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity only when that liability is incurred and can be measured at fair value. Therefore, commitment to an exit plan or a plan of disposal expresses only management’s intended future actions and does not meet the requirement for recognizing a liability and the related expense. SFAS 146 is effective prospectively for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002, with earlier adoption encouraged. The adoption of SFAS 146 did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, an Interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and Rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34. The Interpretation elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also requires a guarantor to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of the Interpretation apply to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure. SFAS 148 amends SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to provide alternative methods of transition to SFAS 123’s fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS 148 also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS 123 and APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require disclosure in the summary of significant accounting policies of the effects of an entity’s accounting policy with respect to stock-based employee compensation on reported net income and earnings per share in annual and interim financial statements. SFAS 148’s amendment of the transition and annual disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 are effective for our fiscal year 2003. SFAS 148’s amendment of the disclosure requirements of Opinion 28 was adopted during our second quarter of fiscal year 2003.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. The Interpretation requires an investor with a majority of the variable interests in a variable interest entity to consolidate the entity and also requires majority and significant variable interest investors to provide certain disclosures. A variable interest entity is an entity in which the equity investors do not have a controlling interest or the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without receiving additional subordinated financial support from the other parties. This pronouncement requires the consolidation of variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. Consolidation provisions apply to the first fiscal period beginning after June 15, 2003 for entities created prior to February 1, 2003. We do not have any variable interest entities that must be consolidated and therefore the adoption of the provision of FIN 46 did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 149 is generally effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. We currently do not have any derivative instruments under SFAS 133.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS 150 establishes standards for how a company classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify certain financial instruments as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 150 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

At August 1, 2003, we had a cash-secured line of credit with a bank in the amount $1,500,000, which will expire on March 1, 2004. Any borrowings bear interest at the bank’s reference rate and accrued interest on these borrowings is payable monthly. There are no fees associated with the unused portion of the committed amount. Under this line of credit agreement, we have one standby letter of credit outstanding in the amount of approximately $1,218,000, related to our facilities lease, and as of August 1, 2003, there were no other borrowings.

Our divisional financial information that is reviewed and evaluated by the Chief Executive Officer is not available below the gross margin level, and we are not organized in multiple operating segments for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Thus, we operated in only one reportable segment during the first nine months of fiscal years 2003 and 2002.

Our estimated annual effective tax rate for the nine months ended August 1, 2003 was 15%. Our projected annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2003 is calculated based on the projected income for the year and differs from the statutory rate primarily due to a benefit of deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been recorded at the end of fiscal year 2002.

The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of fiscal year 2002 included an estimated annual effective tax rate of 3% and a reduction to income taxes of approximately $823,000. The reduction to income taxes in fiscal year 2002 was the result of a tax law change during the second quarter of fiscal year 2002, which allowed us to recover a larger tax refund than previously calculated at the end of fiscal year 2001.

Our products, including associated firmware and software, are warranted against defective workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of acceptance by the original purchaser. In addition, we offer extended warranties at a percentage of the purchase price. An additional six-month warranty may be purchased for 3% of the unit or system purchase price. Additional one-year warranty coverage is 5% of the unit or system purchase price. To date, revenue from extended warranties has been insignificant. Warranty costs were approximately $56,000 and $144,000 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2003, respectively, and approximately $90,000 and $225,000 for the same periods of fiscal year 2002, respectively.

The following information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including estimates and projections about our industry. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "believes," and similar expressions, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Statements concerning financial position, business strategy, and plans or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may cause actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth herein under "Summary of Business Considerations and Certain Factors that May Affect Future Operating Results and/or Stock Price." The forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the time they are made and do not necessarily reflect management’s outlook at any other point in time. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or for any other reason. However, readers should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Our SEC filings, as well as our latest annual report, can be obtained through our web site. In addition, hard copies can be obtained free of charge through our investor relations department.

Applied Signal Technology, Inc. provides advanced digital signal processing products, systems, and services used in reconnaissance of telecommunications signals. Our primary customers are the United States Government and its foreign allies. We develop and manufacture equipment for both the collection and processing of signals. Our signal collection equipment consists of sophisticated receivers that scan through potentially thousands of cellular telephone, microwave, ship-to-shore, and military transmissions in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum with the goal of collecting certain specific signals. Our signal processing equipment uses advanced software and hardware to evaluate characteristics of the collected signals and selects those most likely to contain relevant information. At inception, our efforts were primarily focused on processing equipment. Over time, we have broadened our scope to add specialized collection equipment and complete signal processing systems.

Accurate and comprehensive information regarding foreign affairs and developments has become increasingly important to the United States Government. The reduction of United States military tactical forces overseas; the political instability in certain regions such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Central and South America; and the continued efforts against terrorism have significantly heightened the United States Government’s need to be able to monitor activities in foreign countries. In order to obtain information about activities within foreign countries, the United States Government gathers and analyzes telecommunications signals emanating from those countries.

The use of established telecommunications technologies has been supplemented, rather than replaced, by new telecommunications technologies that have been developed and commercialized. This trend has led to a significant increase in the overall volume of information communicated and an increase in the density of signals transmitted throughout the RF spectrum. This increase can be seen in the proliferation of facsimile, cellular, digital signal telecommunications equipment, and in the global information network (for example, the Internet) in recent years, resulting in a significant increase in the amount of information being communicated. Consequently, the requirement to develop signal reconnaissance equipment capable of collecting and processing an increased volume of signals, as well as new types of signals, has increased significantly.

We devote significant resources toward understanding the United States Government’s signal reconnaissance goals, capabilities, and perceived future needs. We obtain information about these signal reconnaissance needs through frequent marketing contact between our employees and technical and contracting officials of the United States Government. In addition, we invest in research and development (R&D) activities that we anticipate will enable us to develop signal reconnaissance equipment that meets future needs of the United States Government. We believe that we invest a greater percentage of our revenues in R&D than is typical among our competitors.

Our signal reconnaissance products can be used, with or without further modification, to satisfy requirements of a variety of customers. Our products can be deployed readily in a wide variety of circumstances to meet current United States Government signal reconnaissance requirements.

The United States Government is beginning to provide increased funding for counterterrorism. Counterterrorism focuses on individuals and groups of individuals, and relies heavily on human intelligence (HUMINT) gathering. HUMINT refers to all National Security information obtained directly from human resources. It includes a wide range of activities from direct reconnaissance and observation to the use of informants and spies. Signal intelligence (SIGINT) is complementary to HUMINT. SIGINT refers to all National Security information derived from intercepting and analyzing foreign instrumentation, communications, or electronic signals, many of which are protected by codes and other complex countermeasures. We believe we are a pre-eminent resource for SIGINT capabilities, providing products, systems, and services.

Our objective is to anticipate the needs of the signal reconnaissance marketplace and to invest in research and development in an effort to provide solutions in advance of our competitors. In some cases, this involves the development of equipment or services to address new telecommunications technologies. In other cases, it involves the development of equipment that offers smaller size, lower power consumption, and lower cost than potentially competitive products. Our strategy to accomplish these objectives focuses on the following elements.

Anticipate marketplace needs. We devote significant resources in order to anticipate future telecommunications processing needs. We monitor technological and commercial advances in telecommunications to identify what we believe are new opportunities for the development of our products. We obtain information about marketplace needs through frequent contact with technical and contracting officials of pertinent government agencies within the intelligence community.

Many times, the United States Government grants sole-source contracts when a single contractor is deemed to have expertise or technology that is superior to that of competing contractors. Since our inception, a significant portion of our revenues has been from sole-source contracts. We believe that the large number of sole-source contracts we obtain demonstrates that we often correctly anticipate marketplace needs. However, we cannot be sure that we will continue to correctly anticipate the marketplace needs in the future.

Invest in research and development. We invest in research and development that we believe will enable us to develop equipment and services that will satisfy the future signal reconnaissance needs of our customers. We believe that we invest a greater percentage of our revenues in R&D than is typical among our competitors, which, in turn, often enables us to introduce products that meet marketplace demands before our competitors.

Develop flexible products. We develop products that can be used as originally designed, or with further customization, to satisfy the needs of a variety of customers. We use prior product development efforts to offer customers cost-effective solutions and to offer these solutions promptly. We believe that custom equipment developed by many of our competitors generally cannot be deployed as readily in as wide a variety of circumstances as our products.

Develop highly integrated products. We design our products to use advanced circuitry and highly integrated components. This enables us to offer products that are smaller, consume less power, and cost customers less when multiple units are built than equipment of similar functionality that uses fewer advanced designs and materials. The lower cost of many of our products appeals to customers with budget constraints, and the small size and low power consumption of many of our products appeal to customers with physical installation constraints.

Focus on signal processing. Since inception, we have focused much of our attention on developing signal processing equipment and services. We believe that there have been and will continue to be opportunities to develop specialized signal processing equipment and services to satisfy emerging technological requirements in this field.

Increase penetration and broaden customer base. We believe that our current customers offer opportunities for sales growth, both in terms of sales of additional units of our developed products and sales of new products that we might develop. Accordingly, we direct much of our marketing efforts toward these customers in order to increase our penetration of these markets. Additionally, we continue to try to broaden our customer base by increasing marketing efforts toward military signal reconnaissance and by evaluating law enforcement opportunities, including organizations within the Homeland Security offices.

Revenue and cost recognition. The majority of our contracts are accounted for in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Opinion 81-1, Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. We account for fixed-price contracts by using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under this method, contract costs are charged to operations as incurred. A portion of the contract revenue, based on estimated profits and the degree of completion of the contract as measured by a comparison of the actual and estimated costs, is recognized as revenue each period. We account for cost-reimbursement contracts by charging contract costs to operations as incurred and recognizing contract revenues and profits by applying an estimated fee rate to actual costs on an individual contract basis. For those signed contracts in which all of the terms have not yet been finalized, revenue does not include an estimated fee rate on cost. Management reviews contract performance, costs incurred, and estimated completion costs regularly and adjusts revenues and profits on contracts in the period in which changes become determinable.

Anticipated losses on cost-reimbursement and fixed-price contracts are also recorded in the period in which they become determinable. Unexpected increases in the cost to develop or manufacture a product, whether due to inaccurate estimates in the bidding process, unanticipated increases in material costs, inefficiencies, or other factors are borne by us on fixed-price contracts, and could have a materially adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition. Unexpected cost increases in cost-reimbursement contracts may be borne by us for purposes of maintaining customer relationships. Historically, the effect on operating results and financial condition from cost-reimbursement losses has been minimal.

Award-fee recognition. Our policy for recognizing interim fees on our award-fee contracts is based on management’s assessment, on a contract-by-contract basis, as to the likelihood that the award fee or an incremental portion of the award fee will be earned. Management’s assessments are based on numerous factors including: contract terms, nature of the work to be performed, our relationship and history with the customer, our history with similar types of projects, and our current and anticipated performance on the specific contract. No award fee is recognized until management determines that it is probable that an award fee or a portion thereof will be earned.

Indirect rate variance. We record contract revenues and costs for interim reporting purposes based on annual targeted indirect rates. At year-end, the revenues and costs are adjusted for actual indirect rates. During our interim reporting periods, variances may accumulate between the actual indirect rates and the annual targeted rates. All timing-related indirect spending variances are inventoried as part of work in process during these interim reporting periods. These rates are reviewed regularly, and we record adjustments for any permanent variances in the period they become known.

Our accounting policy is based on management’s belief that such interim variances, if deemed recoverable, will be absorbed by expected contract activities during the remainder of the year. If contract activities do not reach planned levels, there are alternatives we can utilize to absorb the variance: we can adjust some of our planned indirect spending during the year, modify our billing rates to our customers, or record adjustments to expense based on estimates of future contract activities.

At August 1, 2003, the favorable inventoried indirect rate variance was approximately $1,185,000. Management determined that a portion of the favorable indirect rate variance would remain unabsorbed by the end of fiscal year 2003, resulting in higher operating income. Consequently, at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2003, a $350,000 adjustment was recorded to increase operating income and reduce the favorable inventoried rate variance to approximately $835,000. This adjustment is based on our best estimate and is subject to uncertainty. At August 2, 2002, the unfavorable inventoried rate variance was approximately $2,583,000.

In addition, a single contract and its follow-on effort accounted for 19% of revenues during the first nine months of fiscal year 2003 and approximately 4% of revenues during the comparable period in fiscal year 2002.

New orders received during the third quarter of fiscal year 2003 were $41,031,000, up 68% compared to new orders received during the third quarter of fiscal year 2002 of $24,419,000. New order levels for the first nine months of fiscal year 2003 were $72,554,000, up 32% when compared to the $54,800,000 reported for the same period of fiscal year 2002. The increase in new orders during the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal year 2003, when compared to the same periods of fiscal year 2002, was due to increased spending by the U.S. Government on signal intelligence solutions.

We currently anticipate that the mix of contract types for the complete fiscal year 2003 will be consistent with that experienced in the first nine months of fiscal year 2003.

Product warranties. Our products, including associated firmware and software, are warranted against defective workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of acceptance by the original purchaser. In addition, we offer extended warranties at a percentage of the purchase price. An additional six-month warranty may be purchased for 3% of the unit or system purchase price. Additional one-year warranty coverage is 5% of the unit or system purchase price. Warranty costs were approximately $56,000 and $144,000 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2003, respectively, and approximately $90,000 and $225,000 for the same periods of fiscal year 2002, respectively.

Interest income (expense), net. Net interest income for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2003 was approximately $120,000 and $320,000, respectively, compared to net interest expense of approximately $121,000 and $52,000 for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2002, respectively. The fluctuation in interest activity between fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2002 is primarily due to two factors. First, we paid approximately $207,000 in fiscal year 2002 for interest related to federal and state tax liabilities. Second, our cash and investment balances at the beginning of fiscal year 2003 were larger than at the beginning of fiscal year 2002 and thus generated greater interest income.

Provision for income taxes. Our estimated annual effective tax rate for the nine months ended August 1, 2003 was 15%. Our projected annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2003 is calculated based on the projected income for the year and differs from the statutory rate primarily due to a benefit of deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been recorded at the end of fiscal year 2002. The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of fiscal year 2002 included an estimated annual effective tax rate of 3% and a reduction to income taxes of approximately $823,000. The reduction to income taxes in fiscal year 2002 was the result of a tax law change during the second quarter of fiscal year 2002, which allowed us to recover a larger tax refund than previously calculated at the end of fiscal year 2001.

At August 1, 2003, we had a cash-secured line of credit with a bank in the amount $1,500,000, which will expire on March 1, 2004. Any borrowings bear interest at the bank’s reference rate and accrued interest on these borrowings is payable monthly. There are no fees associated with the unused portion of the committed amount. Under this line of credit agreement, we have one standby letter of credit outstanding in the amount of approximately $1,218,000, related to our facilities lease, and as of August 1, 2003 there were no other borrowings.

Accounts receivable activities used cash of approximately $1,460,000 during the first nine months of fiscal year 2003 and provided cash of approximately $1,468,000 during the comparable period of fiscal year 2002. The fluctuation in accounts receivable activities in fiscal year 2003 when compared to fiscal year 2002 is primarily due to the significant collection activities in the first nine months of fiscal year 2002. A significant portion of cash received in fiscal year 2002, was associated with invoices from prior years.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2003, we collected the remaining $500,000 problematic accounts receivable item disclosed in previous filings. This resolved the associated potential reduction in operating income of up to $800,0000. All amounts due under this receivable have now been collected in their entirety.

Cash used to support inventory, prepaid expenses, and other assets was approximately $936,000 and $4,072,000 during the first nine months of fiscal years 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decrease in cash used during fiscal year 2003 is due to the difference in the inventoried rate variance between fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2002. In fiscal year 2003, we inventoried a favorable rate variance, which decreased inventory balances, and in fiscal year 2002 we inventoried an unfavorable rate variance that increased inventory balances.

In addition, financing activities used cash for dividend payments as a result of the Board of Directors decision to announce a $0.25 per share annual dividend, payable over four quarters at the rate of $0.0625 per share per quarter. Dividends of approximately $646,000 and $668,000 were paid on May 16, 2003 and August 15, 2003, respectively, to shareholders of record at May 2, 2003 and August 1, 2003, respectively. Thereafter, dividends will be payable on November 14, 2003 and February 14, 2004 to shareholders of record at October 31, 2003 and January 30, 2004, respectively, and on such future dates that the Board of Directors may determine.

Cash is generated primarily from operating activities and employee stock activities. Our investment portfolio includes a variety of low-risk investments. We believe the primary risk to liquidity is the potential decrease in demand for our products and services. Historically, this demand has been influenced by the needs for signal intelligence products and services by the United States intelligence community.

We believe that the funds generated from operations, existing working capital, and the amount available under our existing line of credit will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for the next twelve months.

Our future performance is subject to a variety of risks. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business could be harmed and the trading price of our common stock could decline. In addition to the following disclosures, please refer to the other information contained in this report, including consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Any reduction in government spending on signal reconnaissance could materially adversely impact our revenues, results of operations, and financial condition. Historically, defense and intelligence agencies of the United States Government have accounted for almost all of our revenues. There are risks associated with programs that are subject to appropriation by Congress, which could be potential targets for reductions of their funding to pay for other programs. Future reductions in United States Government spending on signal reconnaissance or future changes in the kind of signal reconnaissance products or services required by the United States Government agencies could limit demand for our products and services, which would have a materially adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Also, potential shifts in responsibilities and functions within the defense and intelligence communities could result in a reduction of orders for signal reconnaissance by the defense and intelligence agencies that have historically been our major customers. We believe that the United States Government may compensate for the reduced order flow by these agencies with increases in orders from other Government agencies. However, our relationships with other Government agencies are not as strong as they are with the agencies with which we have historically dealt. A reduction in contracts from the agencies with which we have historically dealt may not be offset by contracts from other United States Government agencies. As a result, demand for our products and services could decline, resulting in a decrease in revenues, and could materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

If we are unable to comply with complex government regulations governing security and contracting practices, we could be disqualified as a supplier to the United States Government. As a supplier to United States Government defense and intelligence agencies, we must comply with numerous regulations, including regulations governing security and contracting practices. Failure to comply with these procurement regulations and practices could result in fines being imposed against us, or our suspension for a period of time from eligibility for bidding on, or for award of, new government contracts. If we are disqualified as a supplier to government agencies, we will lose most, if not all, of our customers, revenues from sales of our products would decline significantly, and our ability to continue operations would be seriously jeopardized. The government may investigate and make inquiries of our business practices and conduct audits of contract performance and cost accounting. Depending on the results of these audits and investigations, the government may make claims against us.

If we are unable to recruit, train, and retain key personnel, our ability to develop, introduce, and sell our products may be adversely impacted. Our ability to execute our business plan is contingent upon successfully attracting and retaining qualified employees. In California, it has not been as difficult to recruit new staff capable of obtaining the necessary security clearances in fiscal years 2003 and 2002 as in prior years. If we fail to attract and retain qualified employees who can obtain the necessary security clearances, our business could be significantly harmed. We maintain offices in Herndon, Virginia; Annapolis Junction, Maryland; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Hillsboro, Oregon, providing us the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in areas outside of California. Management believes that it continues to be difficult to attract and hire qualified candidates who hold the necessary security clearances in the Annapolis Junction, Maryland office due to current labor market conditions. The loss of the services of any of our qualified employees, the inability to attract or retain qualified personnel in the future, or delays in hiring required personnel could negatively impact our ability to develop, introduce, and sell our products. In addition, employees may leave us and subsequently compete against us.

Unexpected increases in the cost to develop or manufacture our products under fixed-price contracts may cause us to experience unreimbursed cost overruns. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from fixed-price contracts. Under fixed-price contracts, unexpected increases in the cost to develop or manufacture a product, whether due to inaccurate estimates in the bidding process, unanticipated increases in materials costs, inefficiencies, or other factors, are borne by us. We have experienced cost overruns in the past that have resulted in losses on certain contracts, and may experience additional cost overruns in the future. Such cost overruns would increase our operating expenses, reduce our net income and earnings per share, and have a materially adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition.

Unexpected contract terminations could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition. Almost all of our contracts contain termination clauses that permit contract termination upon our default or for the convenience of the other contracting party. In either case, termination could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. For example, in fiscal year 2001, we received unanticipated contract closeout notifications on three significant engineering contracts for the convenience of the other contracting party. These closeouts contributed, in part, to our need to reduce our cost structure during fiscal year 2001. There can be no assurance that such terminations will not occur in the future.

We also may not be able to develop the underlying core technologies necessary to create new products and enhancements or to license these technologies from third parties. Product development delays may result from numerous factors, including:

• Changing product specifications and customer requirements
• Difficulties in hiring and retaining necessary technical personnel
• Difficulties in reallocating engineering resources and overcoming resource limitations
• Difficulties with contract manufacturers
• Changing market or competitive product requirements
• Unanticipated engineering complexities

The development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation and highly skilled engineering and development personnel, as well as the accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. We cannot ensure that we will be able to identify, develop, manufacture, market, or support new or enhanced products successfully, if at all, or on a timely basis. Further, we cannot ensure that our new products will gain market acceptance or that we will be able to respond effectively to product announcements by competitors, technological changes, or emerging industry standards. Any failure to respond to technological change would significantly harm our business.

Delays in the receipt of engineering contracts could negatively impact our business. During our history, we have experienced delays in the receipt of certain engineering development contracts. While we work closely with our customers to try and capture what we believe to be sole-source orders, delays in the receipt of such orders could result in revenues falling short of estimates. In addition, gross margins and net income will decrease if we elect to hold our cost structure in place while awaiting the award of delayed contracts.

Claims that we infringe third-party intellectual property rights could result in significant expenses or restrictions on our ability to sell our products. It is possible that from time to time, other parties may assert patent, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property rights to technologies and in various jurisdictions that are important to our business. Any claims asserting that our products infringe or may infringe proprietary rights of third parties, if determined adverse to us, could significantly harm our business. Any claims, with or without merit, could result in costly litigation, divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel, cause product shipment delays, or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, any of which could significantly harm our business. Royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. In addition, our agreements with our customers typically require us to indemnify our customers from any expense or liability resulting from claimed infringement of third party intellectual property rights. In the event a claim against us was successful and we could not obtain a license to the relevant technology on acceptable terms, license a substitute technology, or redesign our products to avoid infringement, our business would be significantly harmed.

Our headquarters and most of our manufacturing operations are located in California where natural disasters may occur, resulting in disruption to our business. Our corporate headquarters, including most of our research and development operations and production facilities, are located in the Silicon Valley area of Northern California, a region known for being vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, which at times have disrupted the local economy and posed physical risks to our property. A significant earthquake could materially affect operating results. We are not insured for most losses and business interruptions of this kind, and do not presently have redundant, multiple site capacity in the event of a natural disaster. In the event of such disaster, our business would suffer.

The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term securities, at fair value, that are sensitive to interest rate risk (in thousands):

Limitations of the effectiveness of internal controls. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations of any internal control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected.

We are subject to litigation, from time to time, in the ordinary course of business including, but not limited to, allegations of wrongful termination or discrimination or governmental agency investigations. Although the amount of any liability with respect to such litigation cannot currently be determined, we are not party to any pending legal proceedings, which, in the opinion of management, are material to our business or financial condition. As a government contractor, we may also be subject to investigations by the United States Government for alleged violations of procurement or other federal laws. Under present government procurement regulations, if judged in violation of procurement or other federal civil laws, we could be suspended or barred from eligibility for awards of new government contracts.

None.

None.

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None.

Exhibits — See Index to Exhibits

Reports on Form 8-K — None

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 thereunto duly authorized.

Applied Signal Technology, Inc.