Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The December 31, 2016, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts have been derived from the previously audited Consolidated Balance Sheet of Kaman Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this report. The statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of trends or of results to be expected for the entire year. The Company has a calendar year-end; however, its first three fiscal quarters follow a 13-week convention, with each quarter ending on a Friday. The second quarters for 2017 and 2016 ended on June 30, 2017, and July 1, 2016, respectively.
Recent Accounting Standards	RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of Modification Accounting". The objective of this standard update is to address the diversity in practice and reduce the cost and complexity of applying guidance for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This ASU provides guidance on when an entity should apply modification accounting for stock compensation. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) - Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities”. Under this ASU, the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium is shortened to more closely align the amortization period with expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact this standard update might have on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) - Improving the Net Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”. The objective of this standard update is to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. This standard update requires employers to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. This ASU also provides guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, "Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20)". The objective of this standard update is to clarify the scope of asset derecognition guidance and to provide new guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, however, an entity is required to apply the amendments in this ASU in the same period that it applies the amendments for ASU 2014-09. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment". The objective of this standard update is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under this ASU, an entity should perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, assuming the loss recognized does not exceed the total amount of goodwill for the reporting unit. The standard update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The impact of the adoption of this standard update is dependent on the Company's goodwill impairment assessment. 2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CONTINUED) In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash". The objective of this standard update is to address the diversity in classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Under this ASU, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory". Under this ASU, income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory will be recognized when the transfer occurs. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments". This standard update was issued to address diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified. The provisions of ASU 2016-15 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323) - Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting”. This standard update eliminates the requirement to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments”. The objective of this standard update is to eliminate inconsistent practices with regards to assessing embedded contingent put and call options in debt instruments. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships”. The objective of this standard update is to clarify whether a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument results in a requirement to dedesignate that hedging relationship and discontinue the application of hedge accounting. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. Under this ASU as amended, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged under this ASU as amended. This standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is developing a project plan to implement this standard update and is currently assessing the potential impact this standard update might have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company anticipates the ASU will have a material impact on its assets and liabilities due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to the balance sheet, however it does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company's cash flows or results of operations. 2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CONTINUED) In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The objective of this standard update is to remove inconsistent practices with regards to the accounting for financial instruments between US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The standard update intends to improve the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The provisions of this standard update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect these changes to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330) - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory". ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure inventory within the scope of the standard at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The standard update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those years. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)". The objective of this standard update is to remove inconsistent practices with regard to revenue recognition between US GAAP and IFRS. The standard intends to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The provisions of ASU No. 2014-09 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has developed a project plan that includes a three-phase approach to implementing this standard update. Phase one, the assessment phase, was completed in early 2016. The Company concluded the second phase of the project, which included conversion activities such as establishing policies, identifying system impacts and developing a basic understanding of the impact this standard update will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, during the fourth quarter of 2016. Phase three, which began during the first quarter of 2017, includes the integration of the standard update into financial reporting processes and systems, and developing a more robust understanding of the financial impact of this standard update on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company anticipates the transition to the new standard could have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements but will be unable to quantify that impact until the third phase of the project has been completed. The Company expects the cost of the activities it is undertaking to transition to the new standard will result in an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2017 and beyond. The Company intends to transition using the modified retrospective method upon adoption of this standard update. The Distribution segment currently recognizes the majority of its revenue at a point in time, whereas the new standard will result in certain revenue streams moving to an over time revenue recognition model. The majority of our long-term contracts in the Aerospace segment are currently accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method using units-of-delivery as a measurement basis. For these programs, early-contract unit costs in excess of the average expected cost over the life of the contract are capitalized and amortized over the number of units in the contract. With the adoption of this standard update, some deferred unit costs in excess of the contract average will be eliminated through retained earnings and will not be amortized into future earnings. The Company anticipates that many of these contracts will move to an over time revenue model under the percentage-of-completion method. For example, revenue for the Company's Joint Programmable Fuze ("JPF") program with the U.S. Government ("USG") will move from percentage-of-completion using units-of-delivery as the measurement basis to the over time revenue recognition model using input costs as the basis for recognizing progress to completion. Conversely, revenue for the K-MAX® program will move from cost-to-cost revenue recognition to point in time, with revenue on these aircraft being recognized upon delivery to the end customer. The Company is currently working to quantify the impact these changes will have on the financial statements; however, the ultimate impact cannot currently be determined as it will be dependent upon the terms of contracts with customers at such time and the Company's progress to completion. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued the following updates: ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - "Deferral of the Effective Date"; ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”; ASU 2016-10, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing"; ASU 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients"; and ASU 2016-20, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606". The amendments in these updates affect the guidance contained within ASU 2014-09 and will be assessed as part of the Company's revenue recognition project plan.

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of Modification Accounting". The objective of this standard update is to address the diversity in practice and reduce the cost and complexity of applying guidance for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This ASU provides guidance on when an entity should apply modification accounting for stock compensation. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) - Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities”. Under this ASU, the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium is shortened to more closely align the amortization period with expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact this standard update might have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) - Improving the Net Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”. The objective of this standard update is to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. This standard update requires employers to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. This ASU also provides guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, "Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20)". The objective of this standard update is to clarify the scope of asset derecognition guidance and to provide new guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, however, an entity is required to apply the amendments in this ASU in the same period that it applies the amendments for ASU 2014-09. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment". The objective of this standard update is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under this ASU, an entity should perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, assuming the loss recognized does not exceed the total amount of goodwill for the reporting unit. The standard update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The impact of the adoption of this standard update is dependent on the Company's goodwill impairment assessment.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CONTINUED)

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash". The objective of this standard update is to address the diversity in classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Under this ASU, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory". Under this ASU, income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory will be recognized when the transfer occurs. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments". This standard update was issued to address diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified. The provisions of ASU 2016-15 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323) - Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting”. This standard update eliminates the requirement to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments”. The objective of this standard update is to eliminate inconsistent practices with regards to assessing embedded contingent put and call options in debt instruments. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships”. The objective of this standard update is to clarify whether a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument results in a requirement to dedesignate that hedging relationship and discontinue the application of hedge accounting. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. Under this ASU as amended, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged under this ASU as amended. This standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is developing a project plan to implement this standard update and is currently assessing the potential impact this standard update might have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company anticipates the ASU will have a material impact on its assets and liabilities due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to the balance sheet, however it does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company's cash flows or results of operations.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CONTINUED)

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The objective of this standard update is to remove inconsistent practices with regards to the accounting for financial instruments between US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The standard update intends to improve the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The provisions of this standard update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect these changes to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330) - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory". ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure inventory within the scope of the standard at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The standard update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those years. The adoption of this standard update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)". The objective of this standard update is to remove inconsistent practices with regard to revenue recognition between US GAAP and IFRS. The standard intends to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The provisions of ASU No. 2014-09 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has developed a project plan that includes a three-phase approach to implementing this standard update. Phase one, the assessment phase, was completed in early 2016. The Company concluded the second phase of the project, which included conversion activities such as establishing policies, identifying system impacts and developing a basic understanding of the impact this standard update will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, during the fourth quarter of 2016. Phase three, which began during the first quarter of 2017, includes the integration of the standard update into financial reporting processes and systems, and developing a more robust understanding of the financial impact of this standard update on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company anticipates the transition to the new standard could have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements but will be unable to quantify that impact until the third phase of the project has been completed. The Company expects the cost of the activities it is undertaking to transition to the new standard will result in an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2017 and beyond.

The Company intends to transition using the modified retrospective method upon adoption of this standard update. The Distribution segment currently recognizes the majority of its revenue at a point in time, whereas the new standard will result in certain revenue streams moving to an over time revenue recognition model. The majority of our long-term contracts in the Aerospace segment are currently accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method using units-of-delivery as a measurement basis. For these programs, early-contract unit costs in excess of the average expected cost over the life of the contract are capitalized and amortized over the number of units in the contract. With the adoption of this standard update, some deferred unit costs in excess of the contract average will be eliminated through retained earnings and will not be amortized into future earnings. The Company anticipates that many of these contracts will move to an over time revenue model under the percentage-of-completion method. For example, revenue for the Company's Joint Programmable Fuze ("JPF") program with the U.S. Government ("USG") will move from percentage-of-completion using units-of-delivery as the measurement basis to the over time revenue recognition model using input costs as the basis for recognizing progress to completion. Conversely, revenue for the K-MAX® program will move from cost-to-cost revenue recognition to point in time, with revenue on these aircraft being recognized upon delivery to the end customer. The Company is currently working to quantify the impact these changes will have on the financial statements; however, the ultimate impact cannot currently be determined as it will be dependent upon the terms of contracts with customers at such time and the Company's progress to completion.

Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued the following updates: ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - "Deferral of the Effective Date"; ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”; ASU 2016-10, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing"; ASU 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients"; and ASU 2016-20, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606". The amendments in these updates affect the guidance contained within ASU 2014-09 and will be assessed as part of the Company's revenue recognition project plan.