GOODWILL AND PURCHASED INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 item	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 184,141		$ 136,094	$ 146,933
Acquisitions			48,157	40,085
Impairment of goodwill	0	(50,900)		(50,865)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			(110)	(59)
Balance at the end of the period	184,141	136,094	184,141	136,094
Number of remaining reporting units whose estimated fair values exceeded carrying values	3		3
Transportation Systems
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			18,301	7,517
Acquisitions			40,792	10,837
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			74	(53)
Balance at the end of the period	59,167	18,301	59,167	18,301
Defense Systems
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period			23,443	20,983
Acquisitions			7,365	2,466
Foreign currency exchange rate changes			(184)	(6)
Balance at the end of the period	30,624	23,443	30,624	23,443
Mission Support Services
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	94,350			118,433
Acquisitions				26,782
Impairment of goodwill				(50,865)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 94,350	$ 94,350	$ 94,350	$ 94,350