Segment and Geographic Data (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
Other Information by Segment
Assets	$ 13,615	$ 15,282
Capital expenditures	423	270	238
Depreciation and Amortization	403	393	409
Cessna [Member]
Other Information by Segment
Assets	2,078	2,294
Capital expenditures	101	47	65
Depreciation and Amortization	109	106	115
Bell [Member]
Other Information by Segment
Assets	2,247	2,079
Capital expenditures	184	123	101
Depreciation and Amortization	95	92	83
Textron Systems [Member]
Other Information by Segment
Assets	1,948	1,997
Capital expenditures	37	41	31
Depreciation and Amortization	85	81	85
Industrial [Member]
Other Information by Segment
Assets	1,664	1,604
Capital expenditures	94	51	38
Depreciation and Amortization	72	72	76
Finance [Member]
Other Information by Segment
Assets	3,213	4,949
Depreciation and Amortization	32	31	36
Corporate [Member]
Other Information by Segment
Assets	2,465	2,359
Capital expenditures	7	8	3
Depreciation and Amortization	$ 10	$ 11	$ 14