Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 407,896	$ 365,075
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	284,410	261,177
Selling, general and administrative expenses	38,570	32,666
Research and development costs	30,794	23,738
Amortization of intangible assets	8,258	8,543
Interest expense	6,308	6,501
Interest income	(126)	(123)
Other (income) expense, net	(494)	1,098
Total costs and expenses	367,720	333,600
Earnings before income taxes	40,176	31,475
Income tax expense	11,760	9,076
Net earnings	$ 28,416	$ 22,399
Earnings per share (Note 3):
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.41	$ 0.33
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.40	$ 0.32
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):
Basic	68,919	68,811
Diluted	70,393	70,181
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$ 0.07	$ 0.06