Special Charges (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 03, 2010
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	$ 10	$ 22
Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	9	19
Severance Costs [Member] | Cessna [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	6	14
Severance Costs [Member] | Bell [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges		1
Severance Costs [Member] | Textron Systems [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	1	1
Severance Costs [Member] | Finance [ Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	2	5
Severance Costs [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges		(2)
Contract Terminations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	1	3
Contract Terminations [Member] | Cessna [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges		2
Contract Terminations [Member] | Finance [ Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	1	1
Cessna [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	6	16
Bell [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges		1
Textron Systems [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	1	1
Finance [ Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges	3	6
Corporate [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment
Special charges		$ (2)