Other - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 25, 2011		Jun. 26, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 25, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Repurchases of common stock, shares							8.2
Repurchases of common stock, value							$ 722,000,000		$ 2,263,000,000
Number of shares repurchased in current period but settled and paid for in subsequent period							0.2
Value of shares repurchased in current period but settled and paid for in subsequent period							14,000,000
Number of shares repurchased under share repurchase program since the program's inception		51.2					51.2
Value of stock repurchased under share repurchase program since the program's inception		3,900,000,000					3,900,000,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount							2,600,000,000
Common stock par value, per share		$ 1					$ 1				$ 1
Total options granted, shares	3.4
Estimated grant date fair value per option	$ 10.57
Exercise price, per share	$ 82.01
Number of years over which stock awards vest	3 years
Dividends declared		706,000,000		323,000,000			1,365,000,000		1,098,000,000
Dividends declared, per share (in USD)		$ 2.15		$ 1.00			$ 4.15		$ 3.25
Percentage increase in quarterly dividend declared		15.00%
Effective income tax rates from continuing operations		30.50%		29.90%			30.10%		26.10%
Reduction in tax expense from resolution of tax matters									(89,000,000)
Reduction in tax expense per share from resolution of tax matters									$ 0.26
Federal and foreign income tax payments made, net of refunds received							892,000,000		562,000,000
Refund received from the IRS related to estimated taxes paid for the prior year.									250,000,000
Debt instrument, face amount				2,000,000,000					2,000,000,000
Severance charges		23,000,000	[1]	39,000,000	[1]	97,000,000	23,000,000	[1]	136,000,000	[1]
Reduction in net earnings due to severance charges				25,000,000					88,000,000
Decrease in diluted earnings per share due to severance charges				$ 0.07					$ 0.25
Net sales									184,000,000
Operating loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									(24,000,000)
Income tax benefit on operating loss from discontinued operations									11,000,000
Deferred tax asset				66,000,000					81,000,000
Net increase in operating profit, net of state taxes, from the impact of changes in profit booking rates and other matters		430,000,000		410,000,000			1,500,000,000		1,200,000,000
Increase in net earnings from the impact of changes in profit booking rates and other matters		280,000,000		270,000,000			980,000,000		755,000,000
Increase in diluted earnings per share from the impact of changes in profit booking rates and other matters		$ 0.85		$ 0.81			$ 2.98		$ 2.19
2.13% Fixed Coupon Interest Rate Due In 2016
Debt instrument, face amount				500,000,000					500,000,000
Long-term note, interest rate				2.13%					2.13%
3.35% Fixed Coupon Interest Rate Due In 2021
Debt instrument, face amount				900,000,000					900,000,000
Long-term note, interest rate				3.35%					3.35%
4.85% Fixed Coupon Interest Rate Due In 2041
Debt instrument, face amount				600,000,000					600,000,000
Long-term note, interest rate				4.85%					4.85%
Aeronautics
Severance charges						49,000,000
Space Systems
Severance charges						48,000,000
Electronic Systems
Severance charges		23,000,000					23,000,000
Reduction in net earnings due to severance charges		15,000,000					15,000,000
Decrease in diluted earnings per share due to severance charges		$ 0.05					$ 0.05
2011 Significant Severance Actions
Severance payments for severance actions							70,000,000
4th Quarter 2012 Dividend
Dividends declared		$ 378,000,000
Dividends declared, per share (in USD)		$ 1.15
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Number of RSUs, granted, in shares	2.0
RSUs fair value, per share	$ 81.93

[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.