Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012 segments	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	5
Percent of operating assets located outside the United States	3.00%	4.00%
Earnings from operations associated with our cost and equity method investments	$ 268	$ 278	$ 267
Defense, Space And Security [Member] \| U S Government Contracts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	33.00%	37.00%	43.00%
Commercial Airplanes [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings from operations associated with our cost and equity method investments	77	69	67
Network & Space Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings from operations associated with our cost and equity method investments	$ 196	$ 210	$ 201

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details