Summary of Financial Information for Each Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 24, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 11,408		$ 11,921	$ 22,478		$ 23,214
Severance charges				(30)	[1]
Other unallocated expenses, net	(235)		(278)	(429)		(574)
Operating profit	1,298		1,192	2,417		2,236
Total assets	38,947			38,947			38,657
Information Systems & Global Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance charges				(30)
Business segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	11,408		11,921	22,478		23,214
Operating profit	1,533		1,470	2,876		2,810
Total assets	26,559			26,559			26,442
Business segments | Aeronautics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	3,407		3,408	6,593		7,114
Operating profit	407		454	786		839
Total assets	6,331			6,331			6,525
Business segments | Information Systems & Global Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	2,101		2,263	4,207		4,353
Operating profit	194		208	383		396
Total assets	5,739			5,739			5,664
Business segments | Missiles and Fire Control
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	2,043		1,843	4,031		3,609
Operating profit	381		313	725		684
Total assets	4,269			4,269			4,186
Business segments | Mission Systems and Training
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	1,770		2,019	3,600		3,857
Operating profit	275		195	476		352
Total assets	6,720			6,720			6,589
Business segments | Space Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	2,087		2,388	4,047		4,281
Operating profit	276		300	506		539
Total assets	3,500			3,500			3,478
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	571		588	1,114		1,162
Intersegment elimination | Aeronautics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	49		51	99		90
Intersegment elimination | Information Systems & Global Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	173		220	363		428
Intersegment elimination | Missiles and Fire Control
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	71		73	124		155
Intersegment elimination | Mission Systems and Training
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	252		218	479		437
Intersegment elimination | Space Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	26		26	49		52
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 12,388	[2]		$ 12,388	[2]		$ 12,215	[2]

[1] Severance charges for the six months ended June 30, 2013 consisted of amounts, net of state tax benefits, associated with the elimination of certain positions at our IS&GS business segment during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 (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 separate trust.