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Note 13: Contingent Liabilities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Environmental Liabilities Assumed 232
Department of Justice Lawsuit Against Pratt and Whitney [Member]
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Loss Contingency Lawsuit Filing Date 1999
Loss Contingency Allegations As previously disclosed, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued us in 1999 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, claiming that Pratt & Whitney violated the civil False Claims Act and common law. This lawsuit relates to the “Fighter Engine Competition” between Pratt & Whitney’s F100 engine and General Electric’s F110 engine. The DOJ alleges that the government overpaid for F100 engines under contracts awarded by the U.S. Air Force in fiscal years 1985 through 1990 because Pratt & Whitney inflated its estimated costs for some purchased parts and withheld data that would have revealed the overstatements. At trial of this matter, completed in December 2004, the government claimed Pratt & Whitney’s liability to be $624 million.
Loss Contingency Period Of Occurrence fiscal years 1985 through 1990
Loss Contingency Damages Sought 624
Loss Contingency Actions Taken By Court Arbitrator Or Mediator On August 1, 2008, the trial court judge held that the Air Force had not suffered any actual damages because Pratt & Whitney had made significant price concessions. However, the trial court judge found that Pratt & Whitney violated the False Claims Act due to inaccurate statements contained in its 1983 offer. In the absence of actual damages, the trial court judge awarded the DOJ the maximum civil penalty of $7.09 million, or $10,000 for each of the 709 invoices Pratt & Whitney submitted in 1989 and later under the contracts
Loss Contingency Actions Taken By Plaintiff And Defendant In September 2008, both the DOJ and UTC appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In November 2010, the Sixth Circuit affirmed Pratt & Whitney’s liability under the False Claims Act and remanded the case to the trial court for further proceedings.
Department of Defense Contract Claim Against Sikorsky [Member]
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Loss Contingency Lawsuit Filing Date December 2008
Loss Contingency Allegations As previously disclosed, in December 2008, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a contract claim against Sikorsky to recover overpayments the DOD alleges it made to Sikorsky since January 2003 in connection with cost accounting changes approved by the DOD and implemented by Sikorsky in 1999 and 2006. These changes relate to the calculation of material overhead rates in government contracts. The DOD claimed that Sikorsky’s liability was approximately $95 million (including interest through March 31, 2013).
Loss Contingency Damages Sought $95 million (including interest through March 31, 2013)
Loss Contingency Actions Taken By Plaintiff And Defendant Trial in the matter concluded in January 2013 and on March 22, 2013, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a written decision in favor of Sikorsky determining that the DOD had failed to prove its claims because Sikorsky's calculation of material overhead complied with the cost accounting standards. While the DOD has the right to appeal this decision, we do not believe the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Loss Contingency Settlement Agreement Date March 22, 2013
US Air Force Claim Against Pratt And Whitney [Member]
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Loss Contingency Lawsuit Filing Date June 18, 2012
Loss Contingency Allegations On June 18, 2012, the trial court found that Pratt & Whitney had breached other obligations imposed by common law based on the same conduct with respect to which the court previously found liability under the False Claims Act. Under the common law claims, the U.S. Air Force may seek damages for events occurring before March 3, 1989, which are not recoverable under the False Claims Act. Further proceedings at the trial court will determine the damages, if any, relating to the False Claims Act and common law claims. The government continues to seek damages of $624 million, plus interest.
Loss Contingency Damages Sought 624
Loss Contingency Actions Taken By Plaintiff And Defendant Pratt & Whitney continues to contend that the government suffered no actual damages. The parties have submitted briefs and await a decision from the trial court. Should the government ultimately prevail, the outcome of this matter could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which a liability would be recognized or cash flows for the period in which damages would be paid.
German Tax Office Against Otis [Member]
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Loss Contingency Lawsuit Filing Date August 3, 2012
Loss Contingency Allegations UTC has been involved in administrative review proceedings with the German Tax Office concerning €203 million (approximately $263 million) of tax benefits that we have claimed related to a 1998 reorganization of the corporate structure of Otis operations in Germany. A portion of these tax benefits were disallowed by the local German Tax Office on July 5, 2012, as a result of the audit of tax years 1999 to 2000. The legal and factual issues relating to the denial of the tax benefits center on the interpretation and application of a German tax law.
Loss Contingency Damages Sought €203 million (approximately $263 million)
Loss Contingency Actions Taken By Defendant On August 3, 2012, the Company filed suit in the local German tax court and intends to litigate vigorously the matter to conclusion. We do not believe the resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.