1.0.0.3 false Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions false 1 $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 5 Operating activities: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 6 Net income 4 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true 681000000 681 false false 2 true true 682000000 682 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 4 us-gaap_Depreciation us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 117000000 117 false false 2 false true 114000000 114 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Amortization of intangibles and other assets 4 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 45000000 45 false false 2 false true 41000000 41 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Deferred income tax provision 4 us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 36000000 36 false false 2 false true 143000000 143 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Stock-based employee compensation expense 4 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 53000000 53 false false 2 false true 48000000 48 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Contributions to employee savings plans in L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.'s common stock 4 us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitContributions us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 110000000 110 false false 2 false true 108000000 108 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit plans net loss and prior service cost 4 us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 39000000 39 false false 2 false true 3000000 3 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Amortization of bond discounts (included in interest expense) 4 us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 17000000 17 false false 2 false true 15000000 15 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Amortization of deferred debt issue costs (included in interest expense) 4 us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 8000000 8 false false 2 false true 8000000 8 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Impairment charge 4 us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 28000000 28 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Gain on sale of a product line 4 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProject us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true -12000000 -12 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Other non-cash items 4 us-gaap_AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -2000000 -2 false false 2 false true -6000000 -6 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 18 Subtotal 4 us-gaap_AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 1104000000 1104 false false 2 false true 1172000000 1172 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 19 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding acquired amounts: 4 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 20 Billed receivables 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -18000000 -18 false false 2 false true -2000000 -2 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Contracts in process 5 lll_ContractsInProcessOperatingActivities lll false credit duration monetary Inventoried contract costs, Unbilled receivables, and unliquidated progress payments. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -98000000 -98 false false 2 false true -161000000 -161 false false Inventoried contract costs, Unbilled receivables, and unliquidated progress payments. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Inventories 5 lll_ChangeInInventories lll false credit duration monetary The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory held by the reporting entity, associated... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -3000000 -3 false false 2 false true -32000000 -32 false false The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities (excluding inventoried contract costs already included in CIP). No authoritative reference available. false 23 Other assets 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true -31000000 -31 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Accounts payable, trade 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableTrade us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 10000000 10 false false 2 false true 171000000 171 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 25 Accrued employment costs 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -44000000 -44 false false 2 false true -23000000 -23 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 26 Accrued expenses 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 1000000 1 false false 2 false true 30000000 30 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 27 Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred 5 lll_AdvancePaymentsBillingsInExcessCostsIncurred lll false debit duration monetary The current portion, due within one year or one operating cycle, if longer, of aggregate prepayments received from customers... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -35000000 -35 false false 2 false true 71000000 71 false false The current portion, due within one year or one operating cycle, if longer, of aggregate prepayments received from customers for goods or services to be provided in the future, as well as the current portion of money or property received from customers that are to be returned upon satisfactory contract completion or as partial prepayment for goods or services to be provided in the future and also includes liabilities due to billings on long term contracts that exceed the income recorded under the percentage of completion contract accounting method, or that exceed the accumulated costs under the completed contract accounting method. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Income taxes 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedIncomeTaxesPayable us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 32000000 32 false false 2 false true -10000000 -10 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 29 Excess income tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements 5 us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -3000000 -3 false false 2 false true -10000000 -10 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 30 Other current liabilities 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -20000000 -20 false false 2 false true -143000000 -143 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 31 Pension and postretirement benefits 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPensionAndPostretirementObligations us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 40000000 40 false false 2 false true 17000000 17 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 32 All other operating activities 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingCapitalNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 12000000 12 false false 2 false true -18000000 -18 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 33 Subtotal 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapital us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -126000000 -126 false false 2 false true -141000000 -141 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 34 Net cash from operating activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 978000000 978 false false 2 false true 1031000000 1031 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 35 Investing activities: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 36 Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -86000000 -86 false false 2 false true -224000000 -224 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 37 Proceeds from sale of product lines 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesAndInterestsInAffiliates us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 12000000 12 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 38 Capital expenditures 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -128000000 -128 false false 2 false true -139000000 -139 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 39 Dispositions of property, plant and equipment 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 3000000 3 false false 2 false true 5000000 5 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 40 Other investing activities 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true -6000000 -6 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 41 Net cash used in investing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -211000000 -211 false false 2 false true -352000000 -352 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 42 Financing activities: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 43 Common stock repurchased 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -396000000 -396 false false 2 false true -573000000 -573 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 44 Dividends paid on L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.'s common stock 4 us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -124000000 -124 false false 2 false true -111000000 -111 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 45 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 11000000 11 false false 2 false true 38000000 38 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 46 Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockPlans us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 51000000 51 false false 2 false true 52000000 52 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 47 Excess income tax benefits related to share-based payment arrangements 4 us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 3000000 3 false false 2 false true 10000000 10 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 48 Other financing activities 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -9000000 -9 false false 2 false true -11000000 -11 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 49 Net cash used in financing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -464000000 -464 false false 2 false true -595000000 -595 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 50 Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 3 us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 21000000 21 false false 2 false true -7000000 -7 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 51 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 324000000 324 false false 2 false true 77000000 77 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 52 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false true 867000000 867 false false 2 false true 780000000 780 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 53 Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 true true 1191000000 1191 false false 2 true true 857000000 857 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 2 49 false Millions UnKnown UnKnown false true