Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 2,038,303	$ 2,001,240	$ 1,935,976
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	1,453,718	1,425,839	1,376,271
Selling, general and administrative expenses	156,995	155,339	168,097
Research and development costs	134,485	138,005	130,250
Amortization of intangible assets	29,241	33,580	36,979
Interest expense	24,864	22,804	26,703
Interest income	(787)	(271)	(273)
Other (income) expense, net (Note 15)	(1,162)	(1,300)	(1,622)
Total costs and expenses	1,797,354	1,773,996	1,736,405
Earnings before income taxes	240,949	227,244	199,571
Income tax expense	59,497	61,400	53,629
Net earnings	$ 181,452	$ 165,844	$ 145,942
Earnings per share (Note 3):
Basic earnings per share	$ 2.81	$ 2.50	$ 2.13
Diluted earnings per share	$ 2.75	$ 2.45	$ 2.10
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):
Basic	64,684	66,432	68,392
Diluted	66,056	67,776	69,602
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$ 0.38	$ 0.32	$ 0.32