Goodwil, Long-lived Assets, and Other Charges - Long-lived Asset Impairment (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2016
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss					$ 259,000	$ 87,000	$ 3,826,000
Finite-lived intangible assets, net					10,584,000	12,048,000
Patented Technology
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net					1,860,000	2,158,000
Aerostar | Lighter than Air asset group
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived assets excess of fair value over carrying value		$ 110,000,000
Long-lived asset, percentage fair value exceeds carrying value		800.00%
Aerostar | Radar Technology and Radar Customers
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss						0
Long-lived assets, fair value		$ 175,000
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		262,000
Aerostar | Patented Technology
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss		25,000				25,000
Aerostar | Property, Plant and Equipment
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss		62,000				62,000
Aerostar | Operating Income (Loss) | Radar Technology and Radar Customers
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss		$ 87,000				87,000
Vista Reporting Unit
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss				$ 3,813,000		3,826,000	$ 3,826,000
Long-lived assets, fair value				103,000
Long-lived assets				3,916,000
Vista Reporting Unit | Radar Technology and Radar Customers
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss				3,154,000		3,154,000
Vista Reporting Unit | Patented Technology
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss			$ 13,000	105,000		118,000
Vista Reporting Unit | Property, Plant and Equipment
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss				$ 554,000		$ 554,000
AgEagle Aerial Systems | Applied Technology | Operating Income (Loss) | Customer-Related Intangible Assets
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment loss	$ 259,000				259,000
AgEagle Aerial Systems | Applied Technology | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Equity method investment, other than temporary impairment	$ 72,000				$ 72,000