Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net income attributable to common shareowners	$ 3,654		$ 3,174
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries' earnings	298		284
Net income	3,952		3,458
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,023		1,008
Deferred income tax provision	333		(123)
Stock compensation cost	185		112
Change in:
Accounts receivable	(546)		(169)
Inventories and contracts in progress	(912)		(932)
Other current assets	3		(46)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	762		1,178
Global pension contributions*	(247)	[1]	(699)
Other operating activities, net	25		443
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	4,578		4,230
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(605)		(479)
Investments in businesses	(229)		(2,551)
Dispositions of businesses	384		200
Decrease (increase) in customer financing assets, net	43		(29)
Other investing activities, net	109		173
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(298)		(2,686)
Financing Activities:
(Repayment) issuance of long-term debt, net	(50)		610
Increase in short-term borrowings, net	1,124		1,882
Common Stock issued under employee stock plans	196		211
Dividends paid on Common Stock	(1,192)		(1,114)
Repurchase of Common Stock	(2,175)		(1,644)
Other financing activities, net	(313)		(253)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(2,410)		(308)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	13		46
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,883		1,282
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	4,083		4,449
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	5,966		5,731
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to Defined Benefit Plans	$ 697		$ 949

[1] * Non-cash activities include contributions of UTC common stock of $450 million and $250 million to domestic defined benefit pension plans in the third quarter of 2011 and second quarter of 2010, respectively.