Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 482,467	$ 485,513	$ 911,509	$ 893,852
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	340,028	348,100	655,494	637,673
Selling, general and administrative expenses	35,283	37,206	72,611	73,624
Research and development costs	35,805	34,000	65,229	64,018
Amortization of intangible assets	8,657	9,813	17,141	17,480
Interest expense	6,185	7,017	12,247	13,473
Interest income	(57)	(69)	(116)	(137)
Other (income) expense, net (Note 16)	(190)	(890)	(797)	(1,152)
Total costs and expenses	425,711	435,177	821,809	804,979
Earnings before income taxes	56,756	50,336	89,700	88,873
Income tax expense	11,958	7,890	21,519	19,059
Net earnings	$ 44,798	$ 42,446	$ 68,181	$ 69,814
Earnings per share (Note 3):
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.67	$ 0.62	$ 1.01	$ 1.02
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.66	$ 0.61	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):
Basic	66,633	68,737	67,182	68,597
Diluted	67,905	69,935	68,463	69,831
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.16	$ 0.16