Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 483,759	$ 460,241	$ 1,377,611	$ 1,336,930
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	349,482	329,451	987,155	936,354
Selling, general and administrative expenses	46,747	39,627	120,371	118,984
Research and development costs	35,487	38,958	99,505	107,197
Amortization of intangible assets	9,769	8,139	27,249	24,691
Interest expense	6,723	6,611	20,196	19,471
Interest income	(68)	(265)	(205)	(475)
Other (income) expense, net (Note 15)	122	12	(1,030)	(1,214)
Total costs and expenses	448,262	422,533	1,253,241	1,205,008
Earnings before income taxes	35,497	37,708	124,370	131,922
Income tax expense	11,834	9,406	30,893	36,452
Net earnings	$ 23,663	$ 28,302	$ 93,477	$ 95,470
Earnings per share (Note 3):
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.35	$ 0.41	$ 1.36	$ 1.38
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.34	$ 0.40	$ 1.34	$ 1.36
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):
Basic	68,323	68,922	68,506	68,973
Diluted	69,430	70,319	69,698	70,446
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.24	$ 0.23