Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Kaman Corporation, headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, was incorporated in 1945 and is a diversified company that conducts business in the aerospace and distribution markets. Kaman Corporation reports information for itself and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") in two business segments, Distribution and Aerospace. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior year financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and income taxes; valuation of share-based compensation; vendor incentives; assets and obligations related to employee benefits; estimates of environmental remediation costs; and accounting for long-term contracts including claims. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Foreign Currency Translation The Company has certain operations outside the United States that prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For these operations, results of operations and cash flows are translated using the average exchange rate throughout the period. Assets and liabilities are generally translated at end of period rates. The gains and losses associated with these translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable. The carrying amounts of these items, as well as trade accounts payable and notes payable, approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2017, one customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2016, no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, no individual customer accounted for more than 10.0% of consolidated net sales. Foreign sales were approximately 18.8%, 18.1% and 15.6% of the Company’s net sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are concentrated in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, the Middle East and Asia. Additional Cash Flow Information Non-cash investing activities in 2017 include an accrual of $3.6 million for purchases of property and equipment (including capital lease obligations). Non-cash financing activities in 2017 include 624,044 common shares issued for the partial unwind of warrant transactions during the second quarter of 2017 that had a value of approximately $30.3 million, the receipt of 136,369 shares with an approximate value of $7.5 million to unwind the remaining bond hedge transactions during the fourth quarter of 2017 and the issuance to bond holders of 136,347 shares with an approximate value of $7.5 million upon conversion of the remaining 2017 Notes. Other non-cash financing activities in 2017 include an adjustment to other comprehensive income related to the underfunding of the pension and SERP plans and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge accounting. The total net adjustment was $12.7 million, net of tax of $7.7 million. Additionally, non-cash financing activities in 2017 include $5.6 million of dividends declared but not yet paid. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Additional Cash Flow Information - continued Non-cash investing activities in 2016 include an accrual of $2.3 million for purchases of property and equipment (including capital lease obligations), $1.4 million in earn-out payments to the former owners of an aerospace acquisition and an adjustment of $0.2 million for a certain tax matter. Non-cash financing activities in 2016 include an adjustment to other comprehensive income related to the underfunding of the pension and SERP plans and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge accounting. The total net adjustment was $4.0 million, net of tax of $2.5 million. Additionally, non-cash financing activities in 2016 include $4.9 million of dividends declared but not yet paid. Non-cash investing activities in 2015 include $5.4 million in earn-out payments to the former owners of an aerospace acquisition. Non-cash financing activities in 2015 include an adjustment to other comprehensive income related to the underfunding of the pension and SERP plans and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge accounting. The total net adjustment was $11.9 million, net of tax of $7.2 million. Additionally, non-cash financing activities in 2015 include $4.9 million of dividends declared but not yet paid. The Company describes its pension obligations in more detail in Note 13, Pension Plans. The Company describes the convertible notes transactions in more detail in Note 10, Debt. Revenue Recognition Sales and estimated profits under long-term contracts are generally recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, using as a measurement basis either the ratio that costs incurred bear to estimated total costs (after giving effect to estimates of costs to complete based upon most recent information for each contract) or units-of-delivery. Reviews of contracts are made routinely throughout their lives and the impact of revisions in profit estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made. Anticipated contract losses are charged to operations when they are probable. In cases where the Company has multiple contracts with a single customer, each contract is generally treated as a separate profit center and accounted for as such. Except in the case of contracts accounted for using the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting, revenues are recognized when the product has been shipped or delivered, depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed. For certain U.S. Government ("USG") contracts delivery is deemed to have occurred when work is substantially complete and acceptance by the customer has occurred by execution of a Material Inspection and Receiving Report, DD Form 250 or Memorandum of Shipment. Sales contracts are initially reviewed to ascertain if they involve multiple element arrangements. If such an arrangement exists and there is no evidence of stand-alone value for each element of the undelivered items, recognition of sales for the arrangement is deferred until all elements of the arrangement are delivered and risk of loss and title have passed (except in the case of contracts accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting). For elements that do have stand-alone value or contracts that are not considered multiple element arrangements, sales and related costs of sales are recognized as services are performed or when the product has been shipped or delivered depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed. Pre-contract costs incurred for items such as materials or tooling for anticipated contracts are included in inventory if recovery of such costs is considered probable. Thereafter, if the Company determines it will not be awarded an anticipated contract and the associated pre-contract costs cannot be applied to another program the costs are expensed immediately. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately $2.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of pre-contract costs were included in inventory, which, in both cases, represented less than 1% of total inventory. Learning or start-up costs incurred in connection with existing or anticipated follow-on contracts are charged to the existing contract unless the terms of the contract permit recovery of these costs over a specific contractual term and provide for reimbursement if the contract is canceled. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Revenue Recognition - continued If it is probable that a claim with respect to change orders will result in additional contract revenue and the amount of such additional revenue can be reliably estimated, then the additional contract revenue is considered in our accounting for the program, but only if the contract provides a legal basis for the claim, the additional costs were unforeseen and not caused by deficiencies in our performance, the costs are identifiable and reasonable in view of the work performed and the evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. If these requirements are met, the claim portion of the program is accounted for separately to ensure revenue from the claim is recorded only to the extent claim related costs have been incurred; accordingly, no profit with respect to such costs is recorded until the change order is formally approved. If these requirements are not met, the forecast of total contract cost at completion (which is used to calculate the gross margin rate) for the basic contract is generally increased to include all incurred and anticipated claim related costs. Recognition of sales not accounted for under the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting occurs when the sales price is fixed, collectability is reasonably assured and the product’s title and risk of loss has transferred to the customer. The Company includes freight costs charged to customers in net sales and the correlating expense as a cost of sales. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from net sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Cost of sales includes costs of products and services sold (i.e., purchased product, raw material, direct labor, engineering labor, outbound freight charges, depreciation and amortization, indirect costs and overhead charges). Selling expenses primarily consist of advertising, promotion, bid and proposal, employee payroll and corresponding benefits and commissions paid to sales and marketing personnel. General and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee payroll including executive, administrative and financial personnel and corresponding benefits, incentive compensation, independent research and development, consulting expenses, warehousing costs, depreciation and amortization. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and are generally included in general and administrative expenses. The Aerospace segment includes general and administrative expenses as an element of program cost and inventory for certain government contracts. Certain inventory related costs, including purchasing costs, receiving costs and inspection costs, for the Distribution segment are not included in cost of sales. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, $3.5 million, $3.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of such costs are included in general and administrative expenses. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments. These investments are liquid in nature and have original maturities of three months or less. Bank overdraft positions, which occur when total outstanding issued checks exceed available cash balances at a single financial institution at the end of a reporting period, are reclassified to other current liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had bank overdrafts of $3.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, included in other current liabilities. Accounts Receivable The Company has three types of accounts receivable: (a) Trade receivables, which consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers; (b) USG contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed; and (c) Commercial and other government contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the trade accounts receivable and billed contracts balance. Management determines the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Inventories Inventory of merchandise for resale is stated at cost (using the average costing method) or net realizable value, whichever is lower. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are valued at production cost represented by raw material, labor and overhead. For certain government contracts, allowable general and administrative expenses are also included in inventory. Initial tooling and startup costs may be included, where applicable. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are not reported at amounts in excess of net realizable values. The Company includes raw material amounts in the contracts in process and other work in process balances. Raw material includes certain general stock materials but primarily relates to purchases that were made in anticipation of specific programs for which production has not been started as of the balance sheet date. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for buildings range from 15 to 40 years and for leasehold improvements range from 1 to 20 years, whereas machinery, office furniture and equipment generally have useful lives ranging from 3 to 15 years. At the time of retirement or disposal, the acquisition cost of the asset and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated and any gain or loss is credited to or charged against income. Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. Maintenance and repair items are charged against income as incurred, whereas renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a purchase business combination and is reviewed for impairment at least annually. Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other," ("ASC 350") permits the assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under ASC 350. The qualitative assessment management performs takes into consideration the following factors: general economic conditions, industry specific performance, changes in carrying values of the reporting units, the assessment of assumptions used in the previous fair value calculation and changes in transaction multiples. In the first step of the two-step test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the enterprise must perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). In Step 2, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using an income methodology based on management’s estimates of forecasted cash flows for each reporting unit, with those cash flows discounted to present value using rates commensurate with the risks associated with those cash flows. In addition, management uses a market-based valuation method involving analysis of market multiples of revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for (i) a group of comparable public companies and (ii) recent transactions, if any, involving comparable companies. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two need not be performed. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - continued Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated annually for impairment in the fourth quarter, based on annual forecast information. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit. Goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever changes in conditions indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not below its carrying value. No such charges were recorded in 2017, 2016 or 2015. Vendor Incentives The Company’s Distribution segment enters into agreements with certain vendors providing for inventory purchase incentives that are generally earned upon achieving specified volume-purchasing levels. The Company recognizes rebate income relative to specific rebate programs as a reduction of the cost of inventory based on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration offered to each of the underlying transactions that results in progress toward earning the rebate, provided that the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, total vendor incentive receivables, included in other current assets, were approximately $14.5 million and $13.3 million, respectively. Self-Insured Retentions To limit exposure to losses related to group health, workers’ compensation, auto and product general liability claims, the Company obtains third-party insurance coverage. The Company has varying levels of deductibles for these claims. The total liability/deductible for group health is limited to $0.3 million per claim, workers’ compensation is limited to $0.4 million per claim and for product/general liability and auto liability the limit is $0.3 million per claim. The cost of such benefits is recognized as expense based on claims filed in each reporting period and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) during such period. The estimates for the IBNR are based upon historical trends and information provided to us by the claims administrators, and are periodically revised to reflect changes in loss trends. These amounts are included in other accruals and payables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Liabilities associated with these claims are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Projections of future losses are inherently uncertain because of the random nature of insurance claim occurrences and the potential for differences between actual developments and actuarial assumptions. Such self-insurance accruals will likely include claims for which the ultimate losses will be settled over a period of years. Research and Development Customer funded research expenditures (which are included in cost of sales) were $1.1 million in 2017, $0.9 million in 2016 and $0.4 million in 2015. Research and development costs not specifically covered by contracts are recognized as expense as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Such costs amounted to $8.2 million, $7.7 million and $6.7 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The deferred income taxes were significantly impacted by the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Reform"), as further discussed in Note 12, Income Taxes. The Company records a benefit for uncertain tax positions in the financial statements only when it determines it is more likely than not that such a position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between the position taken in the tax return and the benefit reflected in the financial statements. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Share-Based Payment Arrangements The Company records compensation expense for share-based awards based upon an assessment of the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. A number of assumptions are used to determine the fair value of options granted. These include expected term, dividend yield, volatility of the options and the risk free interest rate. See Note 17, Share-Based Arrangements, for further information. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including market risks relating to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are subsequently included in earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes. See Note 5, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further information. Pension Accounting The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan by recognizing the overfunded or underfunded status of the plan, calculated as the difference between the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, as an asset or liability on the balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recognized in comprehensive income in the year in which they occur. Expenses and liabilities associated with the plan are determined based upon actuarial valuations. Integral to the actuarial valuations are a variety of assumptions including expected return on plan assets and discount rate. The Company regularly reviews the assumptions, which are updated at the measurement date, December 31^st. The impact of differences between actual results and the assumptions are accumulated and generally amortized over future periods, which will affect expense recognized in future periods. See Note 13, Pension Plans, for further information. Recent Accounting Standards In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-02 "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income". The objective of this standard is to address the concern that tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income do not appropriately reflect the tax rate because Tax Reform required the adjustment of deferred taxes be recorded to income. This ASU provides an entity the election to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from Tax Reform to retained earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income. 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 August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". The objective of this standard update is to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better reflect the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. This ASU expands hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and refines the measurement of hedge results to better reflect an entity's hedging strategies. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. 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 May 2017, the FASB issued 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. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Recent Accounting Standards - continued 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 adoption of this standard will not have an impact on the Company's 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 other components of net benefit cost, which are expected to more than offset the service cost component, are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of operating profit. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. This ASU will be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in assets. The standard update allows for a practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The Company intends to apply this practical expedient for prior period presentation. The Company currently estimates that the service cost component to be included in operating profit will be approximately $4.9 million and the other components of net benefit cost will have a favorable impact to other (income) expense, net of approximately $11.5 million in 2018. 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. 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. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Recent Accounting Standards - continued 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 has developed a project plan that includes a three-phase approach to implementing this standard update. Phase one, the assessment phase, was completed in the third quarter of 2017. The Company began the second phase in the fourth quarter of 2017, which includes implementing new lease administration software, establishing policies and understanding the initial financial impact this standard update will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Phase three, which the Company anticipates beginning in the second half of 2018, will include integrating the standard update into financial reporting processes and systems and developing a more robust understanding of the financial impact of this standard update. 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. 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. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Recent Accounting Standards - continued 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 will 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, which will continue under Topic 606, with only a small percentage of 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, certain deferred unit costs in excess of the contract average will be adjusted within the cumulative effect to 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 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 estimates that the adoption of Topic 606 will result in a net reduction to opening retained earnings of approximately $9.0 million to $11.0 million, net of tax, as of January 1, 2018. 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 have been assessed as part of the Company's revenue recognition project plan.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Kaman Corporation, headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, was incorporated in 1945 and is a diversified company that conducts business in the aerospace and distribution markets. Kaman Corporation reports information for itself and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") in two business segments, Distribution and Aerospace.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior year financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and income taxes; valuation of share-based compensation; vendor incentives; assets and obligations related to employee benefits; estimates of environmental remediation costs; and accounting for long-term contracts including claims. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company has certain operations outside the United States that prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For these operations, results of operations and cash flows are translated using the average exchange rate throughout the period. Assets and liabilities are generally translated at end of period rates. The gains and losses associated with these translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable. The carrying amounts of these items, as well as trade accounts payable and notes payable, approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2017, one customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2016, no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, no individual customer accounted for more than 10.0% of consolidated net sales. Foreign sales were approximately 18.8%, 18.1% and 15.6% of the Company’s net sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are concentrated in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, the Middle East and Asia.

Additional Cash Flow Information

Non-cash investing activities in 2017 include an accrual of $3.6 million for purchases of property and equipment (including capital lease obligations). Non-cash financing activities in 2017 include 624,044 common shares issued for the partial unwind of warrant transactions during the second quarter of 2017 that had a value of approximately $30.3 million, the receipt of 136,369 shares with an approximate value of $7.5 million to unwind the remaining bond hedge transactions during the fourth quarter of 2017 and the issuance to bond holders of 136,347 shares with an approximate value of $7.5 million upon conversion of the remaining 2017 Notes. Other non-cash financing activities in 2017 include an adjustment to other comprehensive income related to the underfunding of the pension and SERP plans and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge accounting. The total net adjustment was $12.7 million, net of tax of $7.7 million. Additionally, non-cash financing activities in 2017 include $5.6 million of dividends declared but not yet paid.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Additional Cash Flow Information - continued

Non-cash investing activities in 2016 include an accrual of $2.3 million for purchases of property and equipment (including capital lease obligations), $1.4 million in earn-out payments to the former owners of an aerospace acquisition and an adjustment of $0.2 million for a certain tax matter. Non-cash financing activities in 2016 include an adjustment to other comprehensive income related to the underfunding of the pension and SERP plans and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge accounting. The total net adjustment was $4.0 million, net of tax of $2.5 million. Additionally, non-cash financing activities in 2016 include $4.9 million of dividends declared but not yet paid.

Non-cash investing activities in 2015 include $5.4 million in earn-out payments to the former owners of an aerospace acquisition. Non-cash financing activities in 2015 include an adjustment to other comprehensive income related to the underfunding of the pension and SERP plans and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge accounting. The total net adjustment was $11.9 million, net of tax of $7.2 million. Additionally, non-cash financing activities in 2015 include $4.9 million of dividends declared but not yet paid.

The Company describes its pension obligations in more detail in Note 13, Pension Plans. The Company describes the convertible notes transactions in more detail in Note 10, Debt.

Revenue Recognition

Sales and estimated profits under long-term contracts are generally recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, using as a measurement basis either the ratio that costs incurred bear to estimated total costs (after giving effect to estimates of costs to complete based upon most recent information for each contract) or units-of-delivery. Reviews of contracts are made routinely throughout their lives and the impact of revisions in profit estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made. Anticipated contract losses are charged to operations when they are probable. In cases where the Company has multiple contracts with a single customer, each contract is generally treated as a separate profit center and accounted for as such. Except in the case of contracts accounted for using the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting, revenues are recognized when the product has been shipped or delivered, depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed. For certain U.S. Government ("USG") contracts delivery is deemed to have occurred when work is substantially complete and acceptance by the customer has occurred by execution of a Material Inspection and Receiving Report, DD Form 250 or Memorandum of Shipment.

Sales contracts are initially reviewed to ascertain if they involve multiple element arrangements. If such an arrangement exists and there is no evidence of stand-alone value for each element of the undelivered items, recognition of sales for the arrangement is deferred until all elements of the arrangement are delivered and risk of loss and title have passed (except in the case of contracts accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting). For elements that do have stand-alone value or contracts that are not considered multiple element arrangements, sales and related costs of sales are recognized as services are performed or when the product has been shipped or delivered depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed.

Pre-contract costs incurred for items such as materials or tooling for anticipated contracts are included in inventory if recovery of such costs is considered probable. Thereafter, if the Company determines it will not be awarded an anticipated contract and the associated pre-contract costs cannot be applied to another program the costs are expensed immediately. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately $2.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of pre-contract costs were included in inventory, which, in both cases, represented less than 1% of total inventory. Learning or start-up costs incurred in connection with existing or anticipated follow-on contracts are charged to the existing contract unless the terms of the contract permit recovery of these costs over a specific contractual term and provide for reimbursement if the contract is canceled.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Revenue Recognition - continued

If it is probable that a claim with respect to change orders will result in additional contract revenue and the amount of such additional revenue can be reliably estimated, then the additional contract revenue is considered in our accounting for the program, but only if the contract provides a legal basis for the claim, the additional costs were unforeseen and not caused by deficiencies in our performance, the costs are identifiable and reasonable in view of the work performed and the evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. If these requirements are met, the claim portion of the program is accounted for separately to ensure revenue from the claim is recorded only to the extent claim related costs have been incurred; accordingly, no profit with respect to such costs is recorded until the change order is formally approved. If these requirements are not met, the forecast of total contract cost at completion (which is used to calculate the gross margin rate) for the basic contract is generally increased to include all incurred and anticipated claim related costs.

Recognition of sales not accounted for under the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting occurs when the sales price is fixed, collectability is reasonably assured and the product’s title and risk of loss has transferred to the customer. The Company includes freight costs charged to customers in net sales and the correlating expense as a cost of sales. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from net sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Cost of sales includes costs of products and services sold (i.e., purchased product, raw material, direct labor, engineering labor, outbound freight charges, depreciation and amortization, indirect costs and overhead charges). Selling expenses primarily consist of advertising, promotion, bid and proposal, employee payroll and corresponding benefits and commissions paid to sales and marketing personnel. General and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee payroll including executive, administrative and financial personnel and corresponding benefits, incentive compensation, independent research and development, consulting expenses, warehousing costs, depreciation and amortization. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and are generally included in general and administrative expenses. The Aerospace segment includes general and administrative expenses as an element of program cost and inventory for certain government contracts.

Certain inventory related costs, including purchasing costs, receiving costs and inspection costs, for the Distribution segment are not included in cost of sales. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, $3.5 million, $3.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of such costs are included in general and administrative expenses.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments. These investments are liquid in nature and have original maturities of three months or less. Bank overdraft positions, which occur when total outstanding issued checks exceed available cash balances at a single financial institution at the end of a reporting period, are reclassified to other current liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had bank overdrafts of $3.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, included in other current liabilities.

Accounts Receivable

The Company has three types of accounts receivable: (a) Trade receivables, which consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers; (b) USG contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed; and (c) Commercial and other government contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed.

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the trade accounts receivable and billed contracts balance. Management determines the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Inventories

Inventory of merchandise for resale is stated at cost (using the average costing method) or net realizable value, whichever is lower. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are valued at production cost represented by raw material, labor and overhead. For certain government contracts, allowable general and administrative expenses are also included in inventory. Initial tooling and startup costs may be included, where applicable. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are not reported at amounts in excess of net realizable values. The Company includes raw material amounts in the contracts in process and other work in process balances. Raw material includes certain general stock materials but primarily relates to purchases that were made in anticipation of specific programs for which production has not been started as of the balance sheet date.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for buildings range from 15 to 40 years and for leasehold improvements range from 1 to 20 years, whereas machinery, office furniture and equipment generally have useful lives ranging from 3 to 15 years. At the time of retirement or disposal, the acquisition cost of the asset and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated and any gain or loss is credited to or charged against income.

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

Maintenance and repair items are charged against income as incurred, whereas renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a purchase business combination and is reviewed for impairment at least annually.

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other," ("ASC 350") permits the assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under ASC 350. The qualitative assessment management performs takes into consideration the following factors: general economic conditions, industry specific performance, changes in carrying values of the reporting units, the assessment of assumptions used in the previous fair value calculation and changes in transaction multiples.

In the first step of the two-step test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the enterprise must perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). In Step 2, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill.

Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using an income methodology based on management’s estimates of forecasted cash flows for each reporting unit, with those cash flows discounted to present value using rates commensurate with the risks associated with those cash flows. In addition, management uses a market-based valuation method involving analysis of market multiples of revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for (i) a group of comparable public companies and (ii) recent transactions, if any, involving comparable companies. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two need not be performed.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - continued

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated annually for impairment in the fourth quarter, based on annual forecast information. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit. Goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever changes in conditions indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not below its carrying value. No such charges were recorded in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Vendor Incentives

The Company’s Distribution segment enters into agreements with certain vendors providing for inventory purchase incentives that are generally earned upon achieving specified volume-purchasing levels. The Company recognizes rebate income relative to specific rebate programs as a reduction of the cost of inventory based on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration offered to each of the underlying transactions that results in progress toward earning the rebate, provided that the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, total vendor incentive receivables, included in other current assets, were approximately $14.5 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

Self-Insured Retentions

To limit exposure to losses related to group health, workers’ compensation, auto and product general liability claims, the Company obtains third-party insurance coverage. The Company has varying levels of deductibles for these claims. The total liability/deductible for group health is limited to $0.3 million per claim, workers’ compensation is limited to $0.4 million per claim and for product/general liability and auto liability the limit is $0.3 million per claim. The cost of such benefits is recognized as expense based on claims filed in each reporting period and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) during such period. The estimates for the IBNR are based upon historical trends and information provided to us by the claims administrators, and are periodically revised to reflect changes in loss trends. These amounts are included in other accruals and payables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Liabilities associated with these claims are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Projections of future losses are inherently uncertain because of the random nature of insurance claim occurrences and the potential for differences between actual developments and actuarial assumptions. Such self-insurance accruals will likely include claims for which the ultimate losses will be settled over a period of years.

Research and Development

Customer funded research expenditures (which are included in cost of sales) were $1.1 million in 2017, $0.9 million in 2016 and $0.4 million in 2015. Research and development costs not specifically covered by contracts are recognized as expense as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Such costs amounted to $8.2 million, $7.7 million and $6.7 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The deferred income taxes were significantly impacted by the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Reform"), as further discussed in Note 12, Income Taxes.

The Company records a benefit for uncertain tax positions in the financial statements only when it determines it is more likely than not that such a position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between the position taken in the tax return and the benefit reflected in the financial statements.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Share-Based Payment Arrangements

The Company records compensation expense for share-based awards based upon an assessment of the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. A number of assumptions are used to determine the fair value of options granted. These include expected term, dividend yield, volatility of the options and the risk free interest rate. See Note 17, Share-Based Arrangements, for further information.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including market risks relating to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are subsequently included in earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes. See Note 5, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further information.

Pension Accounting

The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan by recognizing the overfunded or underfunded status of the plan, calculated as the difference between the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, as an asset or liability on the balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recognized in comprehensive income in the year in which they occur.

Expenses and liabilities associated with the plan are determined based upon actuarial valuations. Integral to the actuarial valuations are a variety of assumptions including expected return on plan assets and discount rate. The Company regularly reviews the assumptions, which are updated at the measurement date, December 31^st. The impact of differences between actual results and the assumptions are accumulated and generally amortized over future periods, which will affect expense recognized in future periods. See Note 13, Pension Plans, for further information.

Recent Accounting Standards

In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-02 "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income". The objective of this standard is to address the concern that tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income do not appropriately reflect the tax rate because Tax Reform required the adjustment of deferred taxes be recorded to income. This ASU provides an entity the election to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from Tax Reform to retained earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income. 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 August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". The objective of this standard update is to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better reflect the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. This ASU expands hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and refines the measurement of hedge results to better reflect an entity's hedging strategies. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. 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 May 2017, the FASB issued 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.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Recent Accounting Standards - continued

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 adoption of this standard will not have an impact on the Company's 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 other components of net benefit cost, which are expected to more than offset the service cost component, are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of operating profit. The standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. This ASU will be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in assets. The standard update allows for a practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The Company intends to apply this practical expedient for prior period presentation. The Company currently estimates that the service cost component to be included in operating profit will be approximately $4.9 million and the other components of net benefit cost will have a favorable impact to other (income) expense, net of approximately $11.5 million in 2018.

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.

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.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Recent Accounting Standards - continued

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 has developed a project plan that includes a three-phase approach to implementing this standard update. Phase one, the assessment phase, was completed in the third quarter of 2017. The Company began the second phase in the fourth quarter of 2017, which includes implementing new lease administration software, establishing policies and understanding the initial financial impact this standard update will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Phase three, which the Company anticipates beginning in the second half of 2018, will include integrating the standard update into financial reporting processes and systems and developing a more robust understanding of the financial impact of this standard update. 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.

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.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Recent Accounting Standards - continued

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 will 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, which will continue under Topic 606, with only a small percentage of 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, certain deferred unit costs in excess of the contract average will be adjusted within the cumulative effect to 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 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 estimates that the adoption of Topic 606 will result in a net reduction to opening retained earnings of approximately $9.0 million to $11.0 million, net of tax, as of January 1, 2018.

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 have been assessed as part of the Company's revenue recognition project plan.