Represents the average resolution period for loans held for sale that have defaulted.

No definition available.

Name:	txt_AverageResolutionPeriodForLoansHeldForSaleThatHaveDefaulted
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value assets, finance receivables held for sale gain loss.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txt_FinanceReceivablesHeldForSaleGainLossFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Impaired finance receivables fair value disclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txt_ImpairedFinanceReceivablesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value assets, impaired finance receivables gain loss.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txt_ImpairedFinanceReceivablesGainLossFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period over which the second category loan will be restructured and resolved.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txt_LoanRestructuredAndResolvedForSecondCategoryPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of loan categories for cash flow models based on the entity's qualitative assumptions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txt_NumberOfLoanCategoriesForCashFlowModelsBasedOnEntitysQualitativeAssumptions
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Other assets gain loss fair value disclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	txt_OtherAssetsGainLossFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents loans held-for-sale as presented on the statement of financial position which may include mortgage loans held-for-sale, finance receivables held-for-sale, or any other loans classified as held-for-sale which are due the Company as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansHeldForSaleFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This element represents the fair value of assets categorized as other which are not in and of themselves material enough to require separate disclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
Number of loan categories for cash flow models based on the entity's qualitative assumptions			3
Average resolution period for loans held for sale that have defaulted			24 months
Minimum
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
Loan Restructured and Resolved for Second Category Period			1 year
Maximum
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
Loan Restructured and Resolved for Second Category Period			4 years
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring \| Finance group \| Unobservable inputs (level 3)
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
Finance receivables held for sale, Balance	$ 184		$ 184		$ 418
Impaired finance receivables, Balance	75		75		81
Other assets	122		122		128
Finance receivables held for sale, Gain (Loss)	22	(8)	66	(22)
Impaired finance receivables, Gain (Loss)	(2)	(23)	(9)	(73)
Other assets	$ (13)	$ (8)	$ (45)	$ (26)