Operating Segments and Related Disclosures - Selected Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013
Net Sales:
Total Net Sales	$ 403.1	$ 286.6	$ 732.8	$ 530.3
Segment Performance:
Unusual items (see Note 14)	(46.2)	(6.3)	(51.1)	(12.2)
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Unusual items (see Note 14)	(46.2)	(6.3)	(51.1)	(12.2)
Interest expense	(12.6)	(12.6)	(25.0)	(23.8)
Interest income	0	0.1	0	0.2
Stock-based compensation expense	(1.6)	(3.1)	(3.0)	(6.3)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(49.6)	(9.6)	(49.7)	(18.8)
Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Total Net Sales	403.1	286.6	732.8	530.3
Segment Performance:
Total Segment Performance	18.0	23.7	44.6	43.9
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment performance	18.0	23.7	44.6	43.9
Operating Segments [Member] | Aerospace and Defense [Member]
Net Sales:
Total Net Sales	401.5	285.4	729.7	527.7
Segment Performance:
Aerospace and Defense	23.6	36.4	57.0	65.6
Environmental remediation provision adjustments	(0.3)	(1.2)	(1.9)	(0.6)
Retirement benefit plan expense	(6.1)	(10.8)	(12.2)	(21.5)
Unusual items (see Note 14)	(0.1)	(1.7)	(0.1)	(1.6)
Total Segment Performance	17.1	22.7	42.8	41.9
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment performance	17.1	22.7	42.8	41.9
Unusual items (see Note 14)	(0.1)	(1.7)	(0.1)	(1.6)
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense	(6.1)	(10.8)	(12.2)	(21.5)
Operating Segments [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Net Sales:
Total Net Sales	1.6	1.2	3.1	2.6
Segment Performance:
Total Segment Performance	0.9	1.0	1.8	2.0
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment performance	0.9	1.0	1.8	2.0
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Performance:
Unusual items (see Note 14)	(46.1)	(4.6)	(51.0)	(10.6)
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Unusual items (see Note 14)	(46.1)	(4.6)	(51.0)	(10.6)
Interest expense	(12.6)	(12.6)	(25.0)	(23.8)
Interest income		0.1		0.2
Stock-based compensation expense	(1.6)	(3.1)	(3.0)	(6.3)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Performance:
Retirement benefit plan expense	(2.8)	(5.3)	(5.6)	(10.5)
Reconciliation of segment performance to loss from continuing operations before income taxes:
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense	(2.8)	(5.3)	(5.6)	(10.5)
Corporate and other	$ (4.5)	$ (7.8)	$ (9.7)	$ (11.7)