CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales:
Products	$ 7,535	$ 7,552	$ 7,580
Services	5,611	5,606	5,810
Total net sales	13,146	13,158	13,390
Cost of sales:
Products	6,724	6,673	6,665
Services	5,071	5,043	5,240
Total cost of sales	11,795	11,716	11,905
Impairment charge		43
Operating income	1,351	1,399	1,485
Interest and other income, net	8		21
Interest expense	(184)	(204)	(236)
Debt retirement charge	(13)	(35)	(18)
Income (Loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	1,162	1,160	1,252
Provision for income taxes	374	296	428
Income from continuing operations	788	864	824
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax	32	104	142
Net income	820	968	966
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	10	12	11
Net income attributable to L-3	810	956	955
Less: Net income allocable to participating securities		2	5
Net income allocable to L-3 Holdings common shareholders	$ 810	$ 954	$ 950
Basic earnings per share allocable to L-3 Holdings' common shareholders:
Continuing operations	$ 8.12	$ 8.17	$ 7.09
Discontinued operations	$ 0.29	$ 0.97	$ 1.22
Basic earnings per share	$ 8.41	$ 9.14	$ 8.31
Diluted earnings per share allocable to L-3 Holdings' common shareholders:
Continuing operations	$ 8.01	$ 8.08	$ 7.04
Discontinued operations	$ 0.29	$ 0.95	$ 1.21
Diluted earnings per share	$ 8.30	$ 9.03	$ 8.25
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 2.00	$ 1.80	$ 1.60
L-3 Holdings' weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	96.3	104.4	114.3
Diluted	97.6	105.6	115.1