Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 30, 2022	Jul. 04, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-3671
Entity Registrant Name	GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-1673581
Entity Address, Address Line One	11011 Sunset Hills Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Reston,
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	20190
City Area Code	(703)
Local Phone Number	876-3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	GD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 46,753,289,081
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		277,697,967
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Part III incorporates by reference information from certain portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.
Entity Central Index Key	0000040533
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false