Segment information (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	$ 2,782	$ 2,420	$ 7,930	$ 7,207
Finance revenues	32	59	91	191
Total revenues	2,814	2,479	8,021	7,398
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	236	112	555	369
Corporate expenses and other, net	(13)	(35)	(75)	(89)
Special Charges		(114)		(136)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	186	(69)	367	41
Manufacturing Group [Member] \| Cessna [Member]
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	771	535	1,979	1,603
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	33	(31)		(52)
Cessna [Member]
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Special Charges		(15)		(31)
Manufacturing Group [Member] \| Bell [Member]
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	894	825	2,515	2,266
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	143	107	354	289
Bell [Member]
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Special Charges				(1)
Manufacturing Group [Member] \| Textron Systems [Member]
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	462	460	1,359	1,452
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	47	50	149	175
Textron Systems [Member]
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Special Charges		(4)		(5)
Manufacturing Group [Member] \| Industrial [Member]
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	655	600	2,077	1,886
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	37	37	153	137
Industrial [Member]
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Special Charges		(1)		(1)
Finance [ Member]
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	(24)	(51)	(101)	(180)
Special Charges		(94)		(100)
Manufacturing Group [Member]
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	260	163	656	549
Interest Expense, net for Manufacturing group	$ (37)	$ (32)	$ (113)	$ (103)

Corporate expenses and other, net.

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Includes items that are either isolated or temporary in nature that are excluded from the Company's segment profit measure, including restructuring charges.

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The aggregate financial services revenue and operating interest income earned during the reporting period.

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Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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