Summary of Financial Information for Each Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 25, 2011		Jun. 26, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 25, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 11,869		$ 12,119			$ 35,083		$ 34,288
Severance charges	(23)	[1]	(39)	[1]	(97)	(23)	[1]	(136)	[1]
Other unallocated expense, net	(313)		(275)			(911)		(843)
Operating profit	1,098		1,041			3,310		2,898
Total intersegment sales	577		581			1,663		1,626
Total assets	39,321					39,321				37,908
Aeronautics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	3,698		3,965			10,812		10,507
Severance charges					(49)
Operating profit	415		444			1,254		1,169
Total intersegment sales	55		58			145		140
Total assets	6,335					6,335				5,752
Electronic Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	3,818		3,663			11,293		10,925
Severance charges	(23)					(23)
Operating profit	509		447			1,576		1,357
Total intersegment sales	259		266			775		770
Total assets	10,700					10,700				10,480
Information Systems & Global Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	2,292		2,323			6,645		6,833
Operating profit	209		213			605		620
Total intersegment sales	231		227			659		635
Total assets	5,640					5,640				5,838
Space Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	2,061		2,168			6,333		6,023
Severance charges					(48)
Operating profit	301		251			809		731
Total intersegment sales	32		30			84		81
Total assets	3,179					3,179				3,121
Total Business Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit	1,434		1,355			4,244		3,877
Total assets	25,854					25,854				25,191
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 13,467	[2]				$ 13,467	[2]			$ 12,717	[2]

[1] Severance charges for 2012 consisted of amounts, net of state tax benefits, associated with the elimination of certain positions at our Electronic Systems business segment. For 2011, severance charges consisted of amounts related to actions taken at various business segments as well as Corporate Headquarters (Note 8, under the caption "Severance Activities"). Severance charges for initiatives that are not significant are included in business segment operating profit.

[2] Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes, environmental receivables, and investments held in a Rabbi Trust.