BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	$ 166,644	$ 180,492	$ 329,593	$ 352,220
Consolidated EBIT	21,771	21,345	39,972	38,136
Less: Interest expense	(432)	(1,320)	(973)	(3,741)
Earnings before income taxes	21,339	20,025	38,999	34,395
Aerospace & Defense
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	83,278	95,124	150,169	172,635
Consolidated EBIT	18,196	21,736	27,576	34,249
USG
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	39,555	43,768	94,095	96,602
Consolidated EBIT	6,725	4,866	19,456	14,153
Test
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	43,811	41,600	85,329	82,983
Consolidated EBIT	5,688	5,651	11,030	10,307
Corporate (loss)
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
Consolidated EBIT	$ (8,838)	$ (10,908)	$ (18,090)	$ (20,573)