Operating Segments and Related Disclosures - Selected Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 419.5	$ 367.5	$ 1,152.3	$ 897.8
Segment Performance:
Unusual items	(9.9)	(6.8)	(61.0)	(19.0)
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Interest expense	(14.0)	(12.4)	(39.0)	(36.2)
Interest income	0	0	0	0.2
Stock-based compensation expense	(1.5)	(3.4)	(4.5)	(9.7)
Unusual items	(9.9)	(6.8)	(61.0)	(19.0)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(10.4)	(9.0)	(60.1)	(27.8)
Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	419.5	367.5	1,152.3	897.8
Segment Performance:
Total Segment Performance	23.5	23.6	68.1	67.5
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment performance	23.5	23.6	68.1	67.5
Operating Segments [Member] | Aerospace and Defense [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	418.0	365.9	1,147.7	893.6
Segment Performance:
Aerospace and Defense	33.6	35.9	90.6	101.5
Environmental remediation provision adjustments	(4.7)	(1.7)	(6.6)	(2.3)
Retirement benefit plan expense	(6.1)	(11.3)	(18.3)	(32.8)
Unusual items	(0.1)	(0.2)	(0.2)	(1.8)
Total Segment Performance	22.7	22.7	65.5	64.6
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment performance	22.7	22.7	65.5	64.6
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense	(6.1)	(11.3)	(18.3)	(32.8)
Unusual items	(0.1)	(0.2)	(0.2)	(1.8)
Operating Segments [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	1.5	1.6	4.6	4.2
Segment Performance:
Total Segment Performance	0.8	0.9	2.6	2.9
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment performance	0.8	0.9	2.6	2.9
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Performance:
Unusual items	(9.8)	(6.6)	(60.8)	(17.2)
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Interest expense	(14.0)	(12.4)	(39.0)	(36.2)
Interest income	0	0	0	0.2
Stock-based compensation expense	(1.5)	(3.4)	(4.5)	(9.7)
Unusual items	(9.8)	(6.6)	(60.8)	(17.2)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Performance:
Retirement benefit plan expense	(2.8)	(5.2)	(8.4)	(15.7)
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense	(2.8)	(5.2)	(8.4)	(15.7)
Corporate and other	$ (5.8)	$ (5.0)	$ (15.5)	$ (16.7)