L-3 Holdings' Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Dilutive Securities Included In Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	3.2	3.2	2.8

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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