Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net sales:
Products	$ 7,563	$ 7,596	$ 7,516
Services	7,606	8,084	8,099
Total net sales	15,169	15,680	15,615
Cost of sales:
Products	6,667	6,664	6,671
Services	6,861	7,266	7,288
Total cost of sales	13,528	13,930	13,959
Impairment charge	43
Operating income	1,598	1,750	1,656
Interest and other income, net		21	19
Interest expense	235	269	279
Debt retirement charge	35	18	10
Income before income taxes	1,328	1,484	1,386
Provision for income taxes	360	518	475
Net income	968	966	911
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	12	11	10
Net income attributable to L-3	956	955	901
Less: Net income allocable to participating securities	2	5	8
Net income allocable to L-3 Holdings' common shareholders	$ 954	$ 950	$ 893
Earnings per share allocable to L-3 Holdings' common shareholders:
Basic	$ 9.14	$ 8.31	$ 7.65
Diluted	$ 9.03	$ 8.25	$ 7.61
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 1.80	$ 1.60	$ 1.40
L-3 Holdings' weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	104.4	114.3	116.8
Diluted	105.6	115.1	117.4