CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 39,883	$ 12,036	$ (11,209)
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations	1,423	(4,243)	(14,531)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	64,742	46,600	48,045
Share-based compensation expense	15,488	7,515	5,012
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(1,005)	1,029	(3,878)
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	(32,510)		405
Gain on sale of investment in real estate		(1,474)
Deferred income taxes	(3,363)	(6,860)	(917)
Net pension benefit	(1,337)	(2,770)	(1,046)
Excess tax benefits from equity incentive plans			(35)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	44,473	(34,762)	(45,443)
Contract assets	(83,697)
Inventories	(31,544)	3,023	(18,867)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,317	(15,455)	7,286
Long-term financing receivables	(56,575)
Long-term capitalized contract costs		(29,552)	8,911
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	27,792	30,423	13,389
Contract liabilities	(15,359)	21,566	7,383
Income taxes	(17,268)	(361)	8,240
Other items, net	11,689	(18,126)	(5,756)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(31,851)	8,589	(3,011)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS		10,376	27,747
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(31,851)	18,965	24,736
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(393,908)	(16,322)	(16,830)
Purchases of marketable securities			(19,121)
Proceeds from sales or maturities of marketable securities			31,868
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	44,891
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(49,084)	(31,696)	(36,916)
Proceeds from sale of investment in real estate		2,400
Purchase of non-marketable debt and equity securities	(60,694)	(1,500)	(2,700)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(458,795)	(47,118)	(43,699)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS		133,795	1,217
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(458,795)	86,677	(42,482)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	898,000	269,770	130,780
Principal payments on short-term borrowings	(702,500)	(324,770)	(315,780)
Principal payments on long-term debt			(978)
Proceeds from stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	1,832	1,517	2,234
Purchase of common stock	(3,688)	(2,449)	(2,444)
Dividends paid	(8,414)	(7,355)	(7,341)
Excess tax benefits from equity incentive plans			35
Contingent consideration payments related to acquisitions of businesses	(820)	(1,156)	(2,625)
Equity contribution from Boston VIE partner		24,349
Proceeds from equity offering, net	215,832
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	448,497	(31,676)	(196,119)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(1,838)	(2,935)	9,667
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(43,987)	71,031	(204,198)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	139,608	68,577	272,775
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD	95,621	139,608	68,577
Nuvotronics
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liability recognized in connection with the acquisition, net	4,900
Shield Aviation
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(1,800)	200
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liability recognized in connection with the acquisition, net		6,248
Deltenna
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liability recognized in connection with the acquisition, net			1,327
Vocality
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liability recognized in connection with the acquisition, net			$ 271
Cubic Corporation Excluding VIE
Financing Activities:
Deferred financing fees	(1,907)
OpCo.
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	$ 50,162	13,196
Deferred financing fees		$ (4,778)