Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 2,023,078	$ 2,038,303	$ 2,001,240
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	1,475,540	1,453,718	1,425,839
Selling, general and administrative expenses	154,951	156,995	155,339
Research and development costs	126,170	134,485	138,005
Amortization of intangible assets	27,486	29,241	33,580
Interest expense	26,776	24,864	22,804
Interest income	(2,025)	(787)	(271)
Other (income) expense, net (Note 15)	(12,306)	(1,162)	(1,300)
Total costs and expenses	1,796,592	1,797,354	1,773,996
Earnings before income taxes	226,486	240,949	227,244
Income tax expense	45,648	59,497	61,400
Net earnings	$ 180,838	$ 181,452	$ 165,844
Earnings per share (Note 3):
Basic earnings per share	$ 2.92	$ 2.81	$ 2.50
Diluted earnings per share	$ 2.85	$ 2.75	$ 2.45
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):
Basic	61,893	64,684	66,432
Diluted	63,556	66,056	67,776
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$ 0.43	$ 0.38	$ 0.32