Summary of Quarterly Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Pension Contribution	$ 2,500,000,000
Increase in income tax expense due to reduction of the income tax benefit of the U.S. Manufacturing deduction	59,000,000
Decrease in diluted earnings per share, in USD, due to reduction of the income tax benefit of the U.S. Manufacturing deduction	$ 0.18
Increase(reduction) in income tax expense due to IRS examinations			(89,000,000)			(89,000,000)		(10,000,000)
Severance and other charges		39,000,000	97,000,000	48,000,000	[1]	136,000,000	[1]	220,000,000	[1]
Reduction in net earnings due to severance and other charges		25,000,000	63,000,000
Savi Technology, Inc
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Deferred tax asset		$ 66,000,000

[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.