Share Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2008
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Attribution of fair value of options issued and portion of previously granted options for which requisite service has been rendered	$ 17	$ 7	$ 9
Weighted average fair value of options granted per share	$ 10	$ 7	$ 2
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options	8
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options	6
Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options	5
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options	3
Compensation costs associated with unvested awards not recognized	$ 45
Recognize compensation expense for unvested awards subject only to service conditions over a weighted average period	2.2
Restricted stock unit awards payable in shares of common stock description				vesting one-third each in the third, fourth and fifth year following the year of the grant
Deferred income plan	Through our Deferred Income Plan for Textron Executives (DIP), we provide Schedule A participants the opportunity to voluntarily defer up to 25% of their base salary and up to 80% of annual, long-term incentive and other compensation. Elective deferrals may be put into either a stock unit account or an interest bearing account. We generally contribute a 10% premium on amounts deferred into the stock unit account. Executives who are eligible to participate in the DIP but have not achieved and/or maintained the required minimum stock ownership level are required to defer part of each subsequent long-term incentive compensation cash payout into the DIP stock unit account until the ownership requirements are satisfied; these deferrals are not entitled to the 10% premium contribution on the amount deferred. Participants cannot move amounts between the two accounts while actively employed by us and cannot receive distributions until termination of employment.
2007 Long term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum shares authorized for issuance	12
Maximum shares awarded to incentive stock options	12
Maximum shares awarded to restricted stock or other full value awards	3
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year one	33.33%
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year two	33.33%
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year three	33.33%
Maximum term for options to purchase shares of the Company's stock	10 Year
Deferred Income Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of base salary of Textron Executives that can be deferred	25.00%
Maximum percentage of annual long term incentive and other compensation of Executives	80.00%
Percentage of premium on amounts deferred	10.00%
2010 Stock Exchange Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock options exchanged	2.6
Number of new stock option allotted under program	1.0
Exercise price per share of new options issued under program	$ 20.76
Discount rate used for discounting fair value of new option	15.00%
Restricted stock units payable in Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year three				33.33%
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year four				33.33%
Portion of Share-based compensation Vesting at end of year five				33.33%
Restricted Stock Units Payable in Cash [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year one				20.00%
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year two				20.00%
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year three				20.00%
Portion of Share-based compensation vesting at end of year four				20.00%
Portion of Share-based compensation Vesting at end of year five				20.00%
Performance Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance share units measurement period	over a three-year period
Performance share units vesting period	at the end of three years