Segment Information (Consolidated Net Sales by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
External sales	$ 438,467	$ 356,367	$ 1,222,408	$ 1,045,027
Intersegment sales	31,490	22,274	86,961	63,175
Total segment net sales	469,957	378,641	1,309,369	1,108,202
Turbine Systems [Member]
External sales	187,944	148,623	505,797	433,553
Intersegment sales	3,010	2,545	8,744	7,144
Total segment net sales	190,954	151,168	514,541	440,697
Airframe Systems [Member]
External sales	102,354	93,518	282,065	274,827
Intersegment sales	603	609	1,988	1,900
Total segment net sales	102,957	94,127	284,053	276,727
Electrical Power Systems [Member]
External sales	54,875	36,147	160,254	128,692
Intersegment sales	17,052	11,133	46,180	29,918
Total segment net sales	71,927	47,280	206,434	158,610
Engine Systems [Member]
External sales	93,294	78,079	274,292	207,955
Intersegment sales	10,825	7,987	30,049	24,213
Total segment net sales	$ 104,119	$ 86,066	$ 304,341	$ 232,168

Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity.

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of total revenue for the reportable segments, including revenue from external customers, transactions with other operating segments of the same entity, and (gross) interest revenue. All considered to be "operating revenue" for purposes of the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-Paragraph 27
-Subparagraph a, b, c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (a),(b),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8736-108599

+ Details

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