CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 187,329	$ 145,461	$ 113,338
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	96,008	100,810	118,931
(Gain) loss on sale of businesses	(845)	16,991	29,184
(Gain) loss on fixed asset disposals	(2,069)	(945)	632
Deferred income taxes	1,224	63,535	(27,241)
Share-based compensation	9,478	9,473	8,500
Impairment of assets	0	0	3,202
Impairment of assets held for sale	0	40,813	41,369
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and divested:
Accounts receivable, net	91,692	(77,106)	12,845
Inventories, net	4,391	(4,039)	(19,375)
Progress payments	2,583	3,680	(6,971)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,125	(447)	16,147
Deferred revenue	(11,084)	4,839	24,471
Income taxes	11,797	(7,436)	38,946
Net pension and postretirement liabilities	3,405	(139,610)	(26,431)
Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement	20,405
Other current and long-term assets and liabilities	4,758	6,460	4,219
Net cash provided by operating activities	423,197	162,479	331,766
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and disposals of long-lived assets	3,674	2,277	594
Proceeds from divestiture	1,027	31,344	152,965
Proceeds from insurance	0	0	2,357
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(46,776)	(35,512)	(67,115)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(295)	(13,228)	(34,364)
Additional consideration of prior period acquisitions	(564)	(457)	(989)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(42,934)	(15,576)	53,448
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	7,839	70,324	364,557
Payment of revolving credit facilities	(8,430)	(70,134)	(414,770)
Principal payments on debt	0	(8,400)	(80)
Repurchases of common stock	(105,249)	(294,130)	(65,220)
Proceeds from share-based compensation	22,300	28,706	38,182
Dividends paid	(23,067)	(24,122)	(25,013)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	(635)	(581)	296
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	11,101	9,119	9,610
Net cash provided by financing activities	(96,141)	(289,218)	(92,438)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash	(18,971)	(19,104)	(17,954)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	265,151	(161,419)	274,822
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	288,697	450,116	175,294
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	553,848	288,697	450,116
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	2,512	2,108	2,891
Property and equipment under build to suit transaction	$ 0	$ 0	$ 14,735