Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 460,241	$ 438,467	$ 1,336,930	$ 1,222,408
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	329,451	304,441	936,354	858,138
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39,627	38,470	118,984	109,581
Research and development costs	38,958	29,273	107,197	80,061
Amortization of intangible assets	8,139	8,935	24,691	26,020
Interest expense	6,611	6,361	19,471	19,161
Interest income	(265)	(117)	(475)	(325)
Other (income) expense, net (Note 15)	12	249	(1,214)	955
Total costs and expenses	422,533	387,612	1,205,008	1,093,591
Earnings before income taxes	37,708	50,855	131,922	128,817
Income tax expense	9,406	14,799	36,452	38,272
Net earnings	$ 28,302	$ 36,056	$ 95,470	$ 90,545
Earnings per share (Note 3):
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.41	$ 0.52	$ 1.38	$ 1.32
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.40	$ 0.51	$ 1.36	$ 1.29
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):
Basic	68,922	68,793	68,973	68,785
Diluted	70,319	70,166	70,446	70,155
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$ 0.08	$ 0.07	$ 0.23	$ 0.20