Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 66,494	$ 78,835
Cost of products sold	47,144	56,214
Gross profit	19,350	22,621
Operating expenses:
Research and defelopment	5,333	5,859
Selling, general and administrative	15,460	17,386
Total operating expenses	20,793	23,245
Operating loss	(1,443)	(624)
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	13	39
Interest and financing expense	(218)	(238)
Miscellaneous	(154)	(26)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(1,802)	(849)
Income tax provision	268	239
Net loss from continuing operations	(2,070)	(1,088)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	61	(128)
Net loss	(2,131)	(960)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	15	34
Net loss attributable to Ultralife	(2,116)	(926)
Other comprehensive income - Foreign currency translation adjustments	147	6
Comprehensive loss attributable to Ultralife	$ (1,969)	$ (920)
Net loss per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - basic: (in dollars per share):
Continuing operations	$ (0.12)	$ (0.06)
Discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0.01
Total	$ (0.12)	$ (0.05)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	17,475,000	17,465,000