Segment Information - Summary of Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Sales:
Net Sales	$ 2,817	$ 2,940	$ 8,323	$ 8,916
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	(214)	257	152	782
Loss related to business divestitures	(9)		(29)
Impairment charge	(491)		(491)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	$ 54	56	$ 164	165
Total Assets:
Assets held for sale					$ 547
Total Assets	$ 13,036		$ 13,036		13,836
Electronic Systems [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge
Aerospace Systems [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge
Communication Systems [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge
NSS [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Impairment charge	(491)		$ (491)
Operating Segments [Member]
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	286	$ 257	672	$ 782
Loss related to business divestitures	(9)		(29)
Impairment charge	(491)		(491)
Operating Segments [Member] | Electronic Systems [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	1,014	$ 1,128	3,113	$ 3,349
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	123	125	356	383
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	26	30	81	89
Total Assets:
Total Assets	6,672		6,672		6,287
Operating Segments [Member] | Aerospace Systems [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	1,068	1,037	3,092	3,173
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	103	64	148	196
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	13	11	37	30
Total Assets:
Total Assets	3,103		3,103		3,011
Operating Segments [Member] | Communication Systems [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	516	507	1,474	1,562
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	53	49	140	147
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	12	13	37	38
Total Assets:
Total Assets	1,990		1,990		1,997
Operating Segments [Member] | NSS [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	267	307	774	948
Operating Income (Loss):
Operating income	7	19	28	56
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	3	2	9	8
Total Assets:
Total Assets	777		777		1,287
Corporate [Member]
Total Assets:
Total Assets	494		494		$ 707
Elimination of Intercompany Sales [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	$ (48)	$ (39)	$ (130)	$ (116)