Assets Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Customer [Domain] Customer [Domain] EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Change in benefit obligation due to remeasurement Change in benefit obligation due to remeasurement Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Actuarial Gain (Loss) Work-in-process Inventory, Work in Process, Gross Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Net earnings Net earnings Net earnings Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Severance and restructuring charges, after-tax Severance and Restructuring Costs, After-Tax Severance and Restructuring Costs, After-Tax Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Salaries, benefits and payroll taxes Employee-related Liabilities, Current Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Other, net Accumulated Other, Net Adjustment Attributable To Parent [Member] Accumulated Other, Net Adjustment Attributable To Parent [Member] Contract assets Increase in contract assets Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Asset Derivatives Derivative Liability Severance and restructuring charges, after-tax (in dollars per share) Severance and Restructuring Costs, Per Share, After-Tax Severance and Restructuring Costs, Per Share, After-Tax Reduced price (in dollars per share) Business Acquisition, Price Per Share, After Payment Of Pre-Closing Special Dividends Business Acquisition, Price Per Share, After Payment Of Pre-Closing Special Dividends EADGE-T EADGE-T [Member] EADGE-T [Member] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable [Table Text Block] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Increase in diluted earnings per common share due to profit rate adjustments (in dollars per share) Increase Decrease In Net Income Loss Per Share Diluted Increase (decrease) in diluted earnings per share due to favorable/unfavorable profit rate adjustments. Other noncurrent assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Expected return on plan assets Expected return on plan assets(c) Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Middle East Middle East [Member] Proceeds from sale of investment Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable Other Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Other Than Pension Adjustments Attributable To Parent [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Other Than Pension Adjustments Attributable To Parent [Member] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Other, net Other Comprehensive Income, Other, Net of Tax Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Number of retirees and beneficiaries Number of Retirees and Beneficiaries Number of Retirees and Beneficiaries Amortization of purchased intangibles Amortization of Intangible Assets Defined Benefit Plan, Roll Forwards [Abstract] Defined Benefit Plan, Roll Forwards [Abstract] Total remaining authorization for future common share repurchases Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Settlements Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Payment for Settlement Net cash proceeds received from issuance Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Non-cash, non-operating pension settlement charge per share, after tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge per Share, After Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge Per Share, After Tax Schedule of Inventories, Net Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Significant anti-dilutive equity awards (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Liability, revenue recognized Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Net actuarial gain recognized due to plan remeasurements, net of $613 million tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, after Tax Pension settlement charge, tax benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Adjustment for Settlement or Curtailment Gain (Loss), Tax Equity method investment impairment Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment Non-cash, non-operating pension settlement charge Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Title of Individual [Domain] Title of Individual [Domain] U.S. commercial and other United States Commercial And Other [Member] United States Commercial And Other [Member] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Assets Assets [Abstract] AWE generated sales Revenue from Collaborative Arrangement, Excluding Revenue from Contract with Customer Recognized net actuarial losses Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Board of Directors Board of Directors [Member] Board of Directors Unallocated items Segment Reconciling Items [Member] Non-service FAS retiree medical and life (income) Defined Benefit Plan, Other Cost (Credit) Net decrease in noncontrolling interests in subsidiary Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Dividends declared Cash dividends paid and unpaid, amount Dividends, Cash Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Benefit obligation, discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Stock-based awards, ESOP activity and other Stock-Based Awards and E S O P Activity Value of stock issued during the period as a result of the exercise of stock options, the value of stock contributed to the employee stock ownership plan fund related to our defined contribution plans, and the amount of stock-based compensation during the period. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Project [Domain] Project [Domain] Amortization of prior service credits Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Shareholders Equity [Line Items] Shareholders Equity [Line Items] Shareholders Equity [Line Items] Contract value Contract Value Total contract value. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Increase in operating profit due to profit rate adjustments Increase Decrease In Operating Income (Loss) Increase (decrease) in operating profit due to favorable/unfavorable profit rate adjustments. Rule 10b-1 Rule 10b-1 [Member] Rule 10b-1 [Member] Number of business segments Number of Operating Segments Tax resolution related to former IS&GS business Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Realized gain reflected in other non-operating income Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss) Number of pending claims Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number Defined benefit pension plans resulted Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax CONTRACT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Document Type Document Type Net FAS/CAS pension adjustment Fas Cas Pension Adjustment This item represents the difference between pension expense calculated for financial reporting purposes under GAAP and pension costs calculated and funded in accordance with U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Non-cash, non-operating pension settlement charge, per share, after Tax (in dollars per share) Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge, Per Share, After Tax Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge, Per Share, After Tax Unallocated items Unallocated Items [Abstract] Unallocated Items [Abstract] Recognition of settlement loss Recognition of settlement loss [Member] Recognition of settlement loss Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Accrued pension liabilities Liability, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Noncurrent Capitalized contract cost Capitalized Contract Cost, Net Net sales for the F-35 program representing total consolidated net sales (as a percent) Program Net Sales as Percent of Total Net Sales Program net sales as percent of total net sales. Outstanding letters of credit, surety bonds, and third-party guarantees Letters of Credit Surety Bonds and Third Party Guarantees The aggregate total amount of outstanding letters of credit, surety bonds, and third-party guarantees. 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Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Pre-closing special dividend paid to stockholders (in dollars per share) Business Acquisition, Pre-Closing Special Dividends Payment Business Acquisition, Pre-Closing Special Dividends Payment Liabilities Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Discontinued operations (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Services Service [Member] Benefits paid Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Benefits Paid U.S. Government securities US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Unfunded or Funded Status Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block] Liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Shareholders Equity [Table] Shareholders Equity [Table] Shareholders Equity [Table] Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Interest Rate Swaps Interest Rate Swap [Member] EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Minimum Minimum [Member] Cost-reimbursable Cost Reimbursable Contract [Member] Cost Reimbursable Contract [Member] BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Pension settlement charge Pension settlement charge Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement Other, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Inventories Total inventories Inventory, Net of Allowances, Customer Advances and Progress Billings Gross profit Gross Profit Outstanding borrowings Long-term Line of Credit Guarantees of contractual performance of joint ventures (as a percent) Percentage Of Guarantees That Relate To Guarantees Of Contractual Performance Of Joint Ventures Percentage of total guarantees that relate to guarantees of contractual performance of joint ventures to which we currently are or previously were a party. Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] Non-service FAS pension (expense) income Net Periodic Defined Benefits Expense (Reversal of Expense), Excluding Service Cost Component Reduced tax expense Pension Expense (Reversal of Expense), Noncash, Tax Impact Reduction Pension Expense (Reversal of Expense), Noncash, Tax Impact Reduction Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Damages sought by plaintiff Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Postretirement benefit plans Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Senior Notes Senior Notes [Member] Dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Cost of sales Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Common stock, $1 par value per share Common Stock, Value, Issued Net earnings from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Contract with Customer, Basis of Pricing [Axis] Contract with Customer, Basis of Pricing [Axis] Mutual funds Equity Funds [Member] Retiree medical and life insurance plans Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total unallocated items Unallocated Net Total amount of unallocated items, net. Unfunded status of the plans Defined Benefit Plan, Funded (Unfunded) Status of Plan PENDING ACQUISITION OF AEROJET ROCKETDYNE Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Missiles and Fire Control MFC Missiles And Fire Control [Member] Missiles And Fire Control [Member] Product Concentration Risk Product Concentration Risk [Member] Issuance of long-term debt, net of related costs Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Retirement Plan Tax Status [Domain] Retirement Plan Tax Status [Domain] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Claims for monetary damages against the plaintiff Counterclaim For Damages Sought Counterclaim for damages sought for the current period. Contract payments received to date Contract Payments Received To Date Contract payments received to date. Net actuarial gain recognized due to plan remeasurements, tax expense Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Environmental costs eligible for future recovery Recorded Third-Party Environmental Recoveries Receivable Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Decrease in estimated cumulative losses Decrease In Estimated Cumulative Losses Decrease In Estimated Cumulative Losses Amortization of previously deferred postretirement benefit plan costs Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Non-cash, non-operating pension settlement charge, after tax Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge, After Tax Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge, After Tax Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Space Space Space [Member] Space [Member] INFORMATION ON BUSINESS SEGMENTS Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Operating profit Total operating profit Operating Income (Loss) FAS/CAS operating adjustment Fas Cas Operating Adjustment The difference between the service cost component of U.S. GAAP FAS pension expense and total pension costs recoverable on U.S. Government contracts as determined in accordance with U.S. Government cost accounting standards Decrease in estimated cumulative losses, after tax Decrease In Estimated Cumulative Losses, After tax Decrease In Estimated Cumulative Losses, After tax Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Change in Accounting Estimate, Type [Domain] Change in Accounting Estimate, Type [Domain] Stock-based compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Repayments of long-term debt Repayments of Debt Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] F-35 Program F Thirty Five Program [Member] F Thirty Five Program [Member] Postretirement Benefit Plans Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] Net loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Per Share Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net Of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Per Share Aggregate notional amount of outstanding interest rate swaps Derivative, Notional Amount Other non-operating income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Estimated fair value of outstanding debt Long-term Debt, Fair Value Benefits paid Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Benefits Paid Senior Notes due 2020, 2.50% Senior Notes due 2020, 2.50% [Member] Senior Notes due 2020, 2.50% Other, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Post-dividend value Business Acquisition, Post Dividend Value Business Acquisition, Post Dividend Value Company contributions Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Maximum Maximum [Member] Non-service FAS pension (expense) income Financial Accounting Standards, Non-Operating Pension Income (Expense) Financial Accounting Standards, Non-Operating Pension Income (Expense) Total liabilities Liabilities Receivables, net Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Total stockholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Equity method investment impairment (in dollars per share) Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment, Dollars Per Share Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment, Dollars Per Share Designated as Hedges Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Investment Holdings [Table] Investment Holdings [Table] Repurchases of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Senior Notes due 2021, 3.35% Senior Notes due 2021, 3.35% [Member] Senior Notes due 2021, 3.35% Stockholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Schedule of Changes in the Balance of AOCL, Net of Tax Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Performance obligation satisfied in previous period Contract with Customer, Performance Obligation Satisfied in Previous Period Actual return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Increase (Decrease) for Actual Return (Loss), Percentage Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Increase (Decrease) for Actual Return (Loss), Percentage Increase in net earnings due to profit rate adjustments Increase (Decrease) In Net Income Loss Increase (decrease) in net earnings due to favorable/unfavorable profit rate adjustments. Measurement Frequency [Domain] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Aggregate principal amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Interest expense Interest Expense Long-term rate of return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets Non-cash, non-operating pension settlement charge, after tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge, After Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge, After Tax FAS pension (expense) income Total FAS retiree medical and life (income) Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) N.Y. Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority [Member] New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority [Member] City Area Code City Area Code Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Business Segments Operating Segments [Member] Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Net asset Defined Benefit Plan, Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Plan Assets U.S. Government U S Government [Member] U.S. Government [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Impairment loss Capitalized Contract Cost, Impairment Loss Equity method investments Equity Method Investments Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Schedule of Change in Accounting Estimate [Table] Schedule of Change in Accounting Estimate [Table] Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class [Domain] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items] Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items] RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block] Total equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Asia Pacific Asia Pacific [Member] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Change in plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward] Expected return on plan assets recognized in remeasurement Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Incremental Return On Plan Assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Incremental Return On Plan Assets Total current assets Assets, Current Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Summary of Operating Results and Total Assets for Each Business Segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Entity File Number Entity File Number Net sales Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract] Repurchases of common stock Reduction to stockholders' equity due to repurchases of common stock Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Contracts Accounted for under Percentage of Completion Contracts Accounted for under Percentage of Completion [Member] Realized gain recognized for changes in fair value, net of tax Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Schedule of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Used to Compute Earnings Per Common Share Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Carrying amount of investments held in lockheed martin venture fund Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount Sales Revenue, Net Revenue Benchmark [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Shares repurchased during period (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Performance growth costs Contract Costs, Amount in Excess of Contract Price, Loss Recognized Contract Costs, Amount in Excess of Contract Price, Loss Recognized Other commingled funds Other Commingled Funds [Member] Other commingled funds [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] Other, net Other Unallocated Expenses, Net The amount of other unallocated expenses, net. Contract liabilities Decrease in contract liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability Maximum borrowing capacity, terminated Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Terminated Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Terminated Remaining performance obligation Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Aeronautics Aeronautics Aeronautics [Member] Aeronautics [Member] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Postretirement benefit plans Increase (Decrease) in Obligation, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation [Member] Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation [Member] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Measurement and Measurement Inputs, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Text Block] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Realized gain recognized for changes in fair value, net of tax (in dollars per share) Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss), Net of Tax, Amount Per Share Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss), Net of Tax, Amount Per Share Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Corporate Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Customer [Axis] Customer [Axis] POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Axis] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Authorized repurchase amount Stock Repurchase Program, Increase to Authorized Repurchase Amount Stock Repurchase Program, Increase to Authorized Repurchase Amount Non-cash pension settlement charge Pension Expense (Reversal of Expense), Noncash Increase in defined benefit plan, pension plan assets, incremental return Increase In Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan Assets, Incremental Return Increase In Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan Assets, Incremental Return Total assets Total assets Assets Atomic Weapons Establishment Atomic Weapons Establishment [Member] Atomic Weapons Establishment Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Recognition of previously deferred postretirement benefit plan amounts, before tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Retirement Plan Tax Status [Axis] Retirement Plan Tax Status [Axis] Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiary Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and Amortization, Including Discontinued Operations Depreciation and Amortization, Including Discontinued 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[Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Change in Accounting Estimate by Type [Axis] Change in Accounting Estimate by Type [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Number of entities involved in litigation Number Of Entities Involved In Litigation Number Of Entities Involved In Litigation Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic computations (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Weighted average dilutive effect of equity awards (in shares) Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Products Product [Member] FAS pension service cost Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Project [Axis] Project [Axis] Intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Other Other Region [Member] Other Region [Member] Amortization of net prior service credits Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member] Fixed-price Fixed-price Contract [Member] Net cash used for financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Other comprehensive income, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Continuing operations (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Total Stockholders’ Equity Parent [Member] Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Additional borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss AOCL AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Rotary and Mission Systems RMS Rotary and Mission Systems [Member] Rotary and Mission Systems [Member] Other (expense) income, net Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Materials, spares and supplies Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Gross OTHER Other Items Disclosure [Text Block] Includes disclosures related to various items. Assets measured at NAV Alternative Investment Total cost of sales Cost of Goods and Services Sold Net sales Revenues [Abstract] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Fair Value of Investments Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Operating profit Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other securities Other securities [Member] Other securities [Member] Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Beginning balance at December 31, 2020 Ending balance at September 26, 2021 Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Repayment of long-term notes Repayments of Long-term Debt Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Earnings (loss) per common share Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Severance and restructuring charges Severance and restructuring charges Severance and restructuring charges Severance and Restructuring Costs Severance and Restructuring Costs Derivatives Derivative Asset Warrior Capability Sustainment Program Warrior Capability Sustainment Program [Member] Warrior Capability Sustainment Program [Member] Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Less: CAS pension cost Pension Expense under US Government Cost Accounting Standards Pension expense calculated under U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards. Total net sales Total net sales Net sales Revenues Revenue, remaining performance obligation, percentage Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Percentage Total reclassified from AOCL Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Outstanding pension benefit obligations and related plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets, Outstanding Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets, Outstanding Foreign Currency Hedges Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross Discontinued operations (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Other unallocated, net Other Unallocated, Net [Member] Other Unallocated, Net [Member] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Long-Term Notes, Fixed Rate, 3.35% Long-Term Notes, Fixed Rate, 3.35% [Member] Long-Term Notes, Fixed Rate, 3.35% Cumulative losses on development Estimated Cumulative Losses Estimated cumulative losses, including reserves, recorded since inception. Long-term debt, net Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Classified Fixed-Price Incentive Fee Contract Classified Fixed-Price Incentive Fee Contract [Member] Classified Fixed-Price Incentive Fee Contract Stock-based compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense Europe Europe [Member] Settlements Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Payment for Settlement Beginning balance at December 31, 2020 Ending balance at September 26, 2021 Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Current estimated losses Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. [Member] Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. [Member] Current maturities of long-term debt Debt, Current Performance growth costs after tax Contract Costs, Amount in Excess of Contract Price, Loss Recognized, After Tax Contract Costs, Amount in Excess of Contract Price, Loss Recognized, After Tax Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Contract assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Equity method investment impairment, after tax Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment, After Tax Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment, After Tax United States UNITED STATES Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Number of shares repurchased Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Third-party guarantees Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key AMMROC Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center [Member] Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center [Member] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Qualified Plan Qualified Plan [Member] Net loss from discontinued operations Net loss from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted computations (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Other comprehensive income, net of tax Other comprehensive income, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Recurring [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Pretax Net Periodic Benefit Cost Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Net cash used for investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Change in benefit obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward] Changes in assets and liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] International International [Member] International [Member] Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Intersegment sales Intersegment Eliminations [Member] Period of bench trial Loss Contingency, Period Of Bench Trial Loss Contingency, Period Of Bench Trial Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Unamortized discounts and issuance costs Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net Recognition of net actuarial losses Accumulated Defined Benefits Plans Adjustment, Net Actuarial Loss Attributable To Parent [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefits Plans Adjustment, Net Actuarial Loss Attributable To Parent [Member] Operating profit Operating Profit Income or Loss from Collaborative Arrangement Operating Profit Income or Loss from Collaborative Arrangement Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Decrease in estimated cumulative losses (in dollars per share) Decrease In Estimated Cumulative Losses Per Share, After Tax Decrease In Estimated Cumulative Losses Per Share, After Tax Other current assets Other Assets, Current Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement [Member] Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement [Member] Liabilities recorded relative to environmental matters Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table] SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICY UPDATES New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Net obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Accumulated Benefit Obligation Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Goodwill Goodwill Noncontrolling interests in subsidiary Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Pension settlement charge Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Settlement and Curtailment Gain (Loss), after Tax NAV Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] Recognition of previously deferred postretirement benefit plan amounts, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax Non-cash, non-operating pension settlement charge Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Non-cash, Non-operating Pension Settlement Charge Common stock dividends per share declared, period increase (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends Per Share Declared, Period Increase Common Stock, Dividends Per Share Declared, Period Increase Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Qualified defined benefit pension plans Qualified defined benefit pension plans Pension Plan [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] INVENTORY COSTS FOR CONTRACTS Inventory Costs for Contracts or Programs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Line Items] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Line Items] Investment Holdings [Line Items] Investment Holdings [Line Items]