BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 segment		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments													2
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 96,370	[1]	$ 104,656	$ 105,465	[2]	$ 106,066	[3]	$ 71,917	[4]	$ 70,636	$ 69,327	$ 66,749	$ 412,557		$ 278,629		$ 254,040
Gross profit	17,549	[1]	20,418	21,841	[2]	20,054	[3]	16,239	[4]	18,584	16,967	16,518	79,862		68,308		59,650
(Loss) income from operations													(49,120)		26,055		24,924
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges													90,361		7,994		8,404
Interest expense													16,962		1,771		669
Capital expenditures													24,149		19,529		10,267
Total assets	480,051							527,964					480,051		527,964
Impairment loss on goodwill													73,528	[5]
Impairment loss on intangible assets													4,222	[6],[7]	0	[6]	1,163
Deferred financing costs															580
Equipment acquired under capital lease													411		746		0
Aerostructures [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales													331,654		174,983		168,145
Gross profit													68,088		47,947		44,966
(Loss) income from operations													(46,050)		15,484		18,334
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges													91,557	[8]	5,532	[8]	6,013	[8]
Interest expense													1,054		23		5
Capital expenditures													23,600	[9]	18,649	[9]	8,716	[9]
Total assets	405,779							446,902					405,779		446,902
Impairment loss on intangible assets																	1,163
Equipment acquired under capital lease													411		746
Engineering Services [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales													83,717		105,607		87,527
Gross profit													12,145		20,270		14,615
(Loss) income from operations													(2,699)		10,480		6,522
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges													6,754	[10]	2,462	[10]	2,391	[10]
Interest expense													53		25		12
Capital expenditures													549		880		1,551
Total assets	74,272							81,062					74,272		81,062
Impairment loss on intangible assets													4,222
Eliminations [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Net sales													(2,814)		(1,961)		(1,632)
Gross profit													(371)		91		69
(Loss) income from operations													(371)		91		68
Corporate [Member]
Information about reported segments on the basis used internally to evaluate segment performance [Abstract]
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges													(7,950)	[11]	0	[11]	0	[11]
Interest expense													$ 15,855	[12]	$ 1,723	[12]	$ 652	[12]

[1] The fourth quarter of 2013 includes a goodwill impairment charge of $73,528 related to the Valent acquisition, $17,718 related to income tax valuation allowance, $2,620 related to a separation agreement reached with key members of Valent Aerostructures, LLC. and $453 of restructuring expenses related to the closure of the Precise Machine facility.

[2] The second quarter of 2013 includes a trade name impairment of $4,222 related to D3 Technologies offset by a contingent consideration write-off of $7,950 related to Valent.

[3] The first quarter 2013 includes $2,497 of non-recurring inventory step-up related to the Valent acquisition.

[4] The fourth quarter of 2012 includes $4,860 in acquisition fees related to Valent.

[5] During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company performed its annual impairment analysis of goodwill. As a result of this analysis, the goodwill related to the Valent acquisition was deemed impaired, and a $73,528 impairment charge was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013.

[6] The fair values of intangibles relating to the 2012 acquisitions of TASS and Valent were determined by third parties in connection with the purchase and recorded at those values.

[7] During the second quarter of 2013, a triggering event occurred when the Company commenced an initiative to rebrand its core engineering business. Under this initiative, the D3 Technologies name became obsolete and the $4,222 indefinite lived intangible asset related to that trade name was deemed to be fully impaired and a loss was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013

[8] Includes a $73,528 for goodwill impairment in 2013 and $1,163 charge for impairment of intangible in 2011.

[9] Includes $411 and $746 for capital leases in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

[10] Includes a $4,222 charge for impairment of intangible 2013.

[11] Includes write-off of contingent consideration of $7,950 in 2013.

[12] Includes a $580 charge for deferred financing costs for the closed credit facility in 2012.