Severance and Other Charges - Additional information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges	$ 39	$ 97	$ 48	[1]	$ 136	[1]	$ 220	[1]
Reduction in net earnings due to severance charges			31		88
Decrease in diluted earnings per share due to severance charges			$ 0.09		$ 0.26
Voluntary Executive Separation Program
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							178
Reduction in net earnings due to severance charges							116
Decrease in diluted earnings per share due to severance charges							$ 0.31
Aeronautics
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges			25		49
Aeronautics | Voluntary Executive Separation Program
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							25
Former Electronic Systems business segment
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges			23
Space Systems
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges					48
Space Systems | Voluntary Executive Separation Program
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							41
Information Systems & Global Solutions and Corporate
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges					39
Information Systems & Global Solutions | Voluntary Executive Separation Program
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							42
Missiles and Fire Control | Voluntary Executive Separation Program
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							17
Mission Systems and Training
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							42
Reduction in net earnings due to severance charges							27
Decrease in diluted earnings per share due to severance charges							$ 0.07
Mission Systems and Training | Voluntary Executive Separation Program
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							21
Corporate | Voluntary Executive Separation Program
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Severance and other charges							$ 32

[1] Severance and other charges include the severance charges recorded in 2012 associated with our Aeronautics business segment and the reorganization of our former Electronic Systems business segment; for 2011, include the severance charges associated with our Aeronautics, IS&GS, and Space Systems business segments, and Corporate Headquarters; and for 2010, include the charges related to the VESP and the facilities consolidation within our MST business segment (Note 13). Severance charges for initiatives that are not significant are included in business segment operating profit.