Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2011		Jun. 27, 2010	Jun. 26, 2011		Jun. 27, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Total net sales	$ 11,551		$ 11,280	$ 22,184		$ 21,617
Total operating profit	984		1,115	1,836		2,053
Total intersegment revenue	539		547	1,045		1,034
Total assets	35,718			35,718			35,113
International Sales [Member]
Program net sales as a percent of total net sales	15.00%		14.00%	17.00%		14.00%
U.S Government Sales [Member]
Program net sales as a percent of total net sales	84.00%		85.00%	82.00%		85.00%
Aeronautics [Member]
Total net sales	3,423		3,143	6,605		6,083
Total operating profit	400		370	731		701
Total intersegment revenue	45		35	82		74
Total assets	5,913			5,913			5,231
Electronic Systems [Member]
Total net sales	3,755		3,534	7,214		6,784
Total operating profit	466		441	883		820
Total intersegment revenue	255		232	504		449
Total assets	9,991			9,991			9,925
Information Systems & Global Solutions [Member]
Total net sales	2,361		2,522	4,510		4,756
Total operating profit	213		210	407		407
Total intersegment revenue	213		243	408		451
Total assets	5,441			5,441			5,463
Space Systems [Member]
Total net sales	2,012		2,081	3,855		3,994
Total operating profit	263		246	480		453
Total intersegment revenue	26		37	51		60
Total assets	3,225			3,225			3,041
Business Segment [Member]
Total operating profit	1,342		1,267	2,501		2,381
Total assets	24,570			24,570			23,660
Unallocated Corporate Expense, Net [Member]
Total operating profit	(358)		(152)	(665)		(328)
Corporate [Member]
Total assets	11,148	[1]		11,148	[1]		11,057	[1]
Discontinued Operation or Asset Disposal [Member]
Total assets							$ 396

[1] Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, deferred income taxes, deferred environmental assets, and investments held in a Rabbi Trust.