BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) segment	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	$ 181,394	$ 172,665	$ 509,962	$ 524,885
Consolidated EBIT	19,423	23,332	57,085	61,468
Less: Interest expense	(480)	(1,523)	(1,453)	(5,264)
Earnings before income taxes	18,943	21,809	$ 55,632	56,204
Number of reportable segments | segment			3
Aerospace & Defense
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	85,576	84,072	$ 234,720	256,707
Consolidated EBIT	16,714	17,409	41,980	51,658
USG
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	47,704	42,577	141,799	139,179
Consolidated EBIT	8,227	6,156	27,683	20,310
Test
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
NET SALES	48,114	46,016	133,443	128,999
Consolidated EBIT	6,751	7,177	17,781	17,483
Corporate (loss)
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
Consolidated EBIT	$ (12,269)	$ (7,410)	$ (30,359)	$ (27,983)