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Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Apr. 05, 2015
Mar. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Feb. 09, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares 4.7us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares 14.0us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares 29.0us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares  
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value $ 634us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue   $ 3,400us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue  
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased       10us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased 7.7us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased      
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Shares Remaining for Repurchase, Percentage Of Total Shares Outstanding 2.00%gd_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedSharesRemainingForRepurchasePercentageOfTotalSharesOutstanding      
Recognized net actuarial loss (before tax) 112us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossBeforeTax 76us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossBeforeTax    
Amortization of prior service credit (before tax) (18)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax (17)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax    
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared $ 0.69us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared $ 0.62us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared    
Dividends paid in cash $ 206us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends $ 198us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends