Operating Segments and Related Disclosures - Selected Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 485.3	$ 367.5	$ 286.6	$ 243.7	$ 298.2	$ 244.9	$ 249.9	$ 201.9	$ 1,383.1	$ 994.9	$ 918.1
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Interest expense									(48.7)	(22.3)	(30.8)
Interest income									0.2	0.6	1.0
Stock-based compensation									(14.1)	(6.5)	(3.7)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	1.6	(9.0)	(9.6)	(9.2)	4.4	(0.5)	4.6	4.7	(26.2)	13.2	9.0
Capital Expenditures									63.2	37.2	21.1
Depreciation and amortization									43.8	22.3	24.6
Aerospace and Defense [Member]
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Capital Expenditures									63.2	37.2	21.1
Depreciation and amortization									43.1	21.7	24.3
Real Estate [Member]
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Capital Expenditures
Depreciation and amortization									0.7	0.6	0.3
Corporate [Member]
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Capital Expenditures
Depreciation and amortization
Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales									1,383.1	994.9	918.1
Segment Performance:
Segment Performance									101.0	88.2	80.2
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment Performance									101.0	88.2	80.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Aerospace and Defense [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales									1,377.4	986.1	909.7
Segment Performance:
Aerospace and Defense									147.6	115.5	108.6
Environmental remediation provision adjustments									(4.6)	(11.4)	(8.9)
Retirement benefit plan expense									(44.2)	(18.9)	(21.0)
Unusual items (see Note 15)									(1.6)	(0.7)	(4.1)
Segment Performance									97.2	84.5	74.6
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment Performance									97.2	84.5	74.6
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense									(44.2)	(18.9)	(21.0)
Operating Segments [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales									5.7	8.8	8.4
Segment Performance:
Segment Performance									3.8	3.7	5.6
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment Performance									3.8	3.7	5.6
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Interest expense									(48.7)	(22.3)	(30.8)
Interest income									0.2	0.6	1.0
Stock-based compensation									(14.1)	(6.5)	(3.7)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Performance:
Retirement benefit plan expense									(20.8)	(22.1)	(25.4)
Reconciliation of segment performance to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes:
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense									(20.8)	(22.1)	(25.4)
Corporate and other expenses									(20.9)	(12.7)	(10.8)
Corporate unusual items (see Note 15)									$ (22.9)	$ (12.0)	$ (1.5)