Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 28, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Kaman Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0000054381
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,209,307
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes