Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012 item	Oct. 01, 2011
Segment Information
Number of business segments			5
REVENUES
Manufacturing revenues	$ 2,936	$ 2,782	$ 8,695	$ 7,930
Finance revenues	64	32	180	91
Total revenues	3,000	2,814	8,875	8,021
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	282	236	851	555
Corporate expenses and other, net	(38)	(13)	(105)	(75)
Interest Expense, net for Manufacturing group	(35)	(37)	(105)	(113)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	209	186	641	367
Manufacturing group
REVENUES
Manufacturing revenues	2,936	2,782	8,695	7,930
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	254	260	789	656
Cessna | Manufacturing group
REVENUES
Manufacturing revenues	778	771	2,210	1,979
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	30	33	59
Bell | Manufacturing group
REVENUES
Manufacturing revenues	1,075	894	3,125	2,515
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	165	143	462	354
Textron Systems | Manufacturing group
REVENUES
Manufacturing revenues	400	462	1,166	1,359
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	21	47	96	149
Industrial | Manufacturing group
REVENUES
Manufacturing revenues	683	655	2,194	2,077
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	38	37	172	153
Finance Group
REVENUES
Finance revenues	64	32	180	91
SEGMENT OPERATING PROFIT
Segment profit	$ 28	$ (24)	$ 62	$ (101)