Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 1,711,702	$ 1,457,030	$ 1,430,125
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	1,198,153	1,021,516	1,029,095
Selling, general and administrative expenses	148,903	135,880	128,682
Research and development costs	115,633	82,560	78,536
Amortization of intangible assets	34,993	35,114	26,120
Restructuring and other charges	0	0	15,159
Interest expense	25,399	29,385	33,629
Interest income	(534)	(509)	(1,131)
Other (income) expense, net	1,588	(1,791)	(2,441)
Total costs and expenses	1,524,135	1,302,155	1,307,649
Earnings before income taxes	187,567	154,875	122,476
Income tax expense	55,332	43,713	28,060
Net earnings	132,235	111,162	94,416
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes	0	(318)	(64)
Net earnings attributable to Woodward	$ 132,235	$ 110,844	$ 94,352
Earnings per share (Note 3):
Basic earnings per share attributable to Woodward	$ 1.92	$ 1.62	$ 1.39
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Woodward	$ 1.89	$ 1.59	$ 1.37
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Note 3):
Basic	68,797	68,472	67,891
Diluted	70,140	69,864	69,103
Cash dividends per share paid to Woodward common stockholders	$ 0.27	$ 0.24	$ 0.24