Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Teledyne Technologies Incorporated Stockholders equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 28, 2008	$ 506.9	$ 0.4	$ 240.0	$ 0	$ 471.2	$ (205.8)	$ 505.8	$ 1.1
Net income	113.8				113.3		113.3	0.5
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation losses/gains	3.4					3.4	3.4
Minimum benefit plan liability adjustment	30.6					30.6	30.6
Comprehensive income/loss	147.8				113.3	34.0	147.3	0.5
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest	2.7		4.7		(1.3)		3.4	(0.7)
Treasury Stock-purchase, net	(0.8)			(0.8)			(0.8)
Treasury Stock-issuance			(0.8)	0.8
Stock option compensation expense	5.4		5.4				5.4
Exercise of stock options and other, net	5.4		5.4				5.4
Ending Balance at Jan. 03, 2010	667.4	0.4	254.7	0	583.2	(171.8)	666.5	0.9
Net income	120.6				120.5		120.5	0.1
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Interest rate swap position	(0.6)					(0.6)	(0.6)
Foreign currency translation losses/gains	(3.7)					(3.7)	(3.7)
Minimum benefit plan liability adjustment	(9.5)					(9.5)	(9.5)
Comprehensive income/loss	106.8				120.5	(13.8)	106.7	0.1
Stock option compensation expense	4.9		4.9				4.9
Exercise of stock options and other, net	7.9		7.9				7.9
Ending Balance at Jan. 02, 2011	787.0	0.4	267.5	0	703.7	(185.6)	786.0	1.0
Net income	255.2				255.2		255.2
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Hedge activity	(4.1)					(4.1)	(4.1)
Interest rate swap position	(4.7)
Foreign currency translation losses/gains	(9.3)					(9.3)	(9.3)
Minimum benefit plan liability adjustment	(42.1)					(42.1)	(42.1)
Comprehensive income/loss	199.7				255.2	(55.5)	199.7
Treasury Stock-purchase, net	(34.9)			(34.9)			(34.9)
Treasury Stock-issuance	3.0		(1.3)	4.3			3.0
Noncontrolling interest - Nova Sensors	4.8							4.8
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(4.2)		(3.2)				(3.2)	(1.0)
Stock option compensation expense	5.8		5.8				5.8
Exercise of stock options and other, net	22.9		22.9				22.9
Ending Balance at Jan. 01, 2012	$ 984.1	$ 0.4	$ 291.7	$ (30.6)	$ 958.9	$ (241.1)	$ 979.3	$ 4.8