Arrangements With Off-Balance Sheet Risk (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Delta launch program inventories included in contributed assets	$ 1,360
Delta launch program inventories subject to an inventory supply agreement	1,860
Inventories consumed by ULA	1,211
Inventory supply agreement, inventories included in long-term contracts in progress inventories, payments received	720
Costs partially indemnified not recoverable under government contracts	271
Revenues and cost of sales recorded under the inventory supply agreement	462
Additional contract losses incurred by ULA	226
Indemnification Agreement [Member]
Maximum exposure to loss	279
Indemnification payment	261	261
Additional contract losses incurred by ULA	18
Credit Guarantees [Member]
Guarantees expiration period, years	nine years
Indemnification payment	18	71
Residual Value Guarantees [Member]
Guarantees expiration period, years	seven years
Indemnification payment	29	29
Contingent Repurchase Commitments [Member]
Agreement to repurchase a Sale Aircraft at specified price number of years, minimum	10
Agreement to repurchase a Sale Aircraft at specified price number of years, maximum	15
Indemnification payment	3,314	3,782
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Maximum potential amount of future payments under indemnities agreement	$ 0