Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 item	Jul. 02, 2011
Segment Information
Number of business segments			5
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	$ 2,964	$ 2,695	$ 5,759	$ 5,148
Finance revenues	55	33	116	59
Total revenues	3,019	2,728	5,875	5,207
Segment Profit (Loss)
Segment profit	310	196	569	319
Corporate expenses and other, net	(20)	(23)	(67)	(62)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	255	135	432	181
Manufacturing group
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	2,964	2,695	5,759	5,148
Segment Profit (Loss)
Segment profit	288	229	535	396
Interest Expense, net for Manufacturing group	(35)	(38)	(70)	(76)
Cessna | Manufacturing group
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	763	652	1,432	1,208
Segment Profit (Loss)
Segment profit	35	5	29	(33)
Bell | Manufacturing group
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	1,056	872	2,050	1,621
Segment Profit (Loss)
Segment profit	152	120	297	211
Textron Systems | Manufacturing group
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	389	452	766	897
Segment Profit (Loss)
Segment profit	40	49	75	102
Industrial | Manufacturing group
Revenues
Manufacturing revenues	756	719	1,511	1,422
Segment Profit (Loss)
Segment profit	61	55	134	116
Finance Group
Segment Profit (Loss)
Segment profit	$ 22	$ (33)	$ 34	$ (77)