Commitments and Contingencies (Unaudited)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Contract Performance Contingencies Contract profit margins may include estimates of revenues not contractually agreed to between the customer and the company for matters such as settlements in the process of negotiation, contract changes, claims and requests for equitable adjustment for previously unanticipated contract costs. As of March 31, 2012, the recognized amounts related to claims and requests for equitable adjustment are not material individually or in the aggregate. Contract Terminations The company’s U.S. Government contracts generally contain provisions that enable the customer to terminate a contract for default, or for the convenience of the government. If the contract is terminated for default, the contractor may not be entitled to recover any of its costs on partially completed work and may be liable to the government for any excess re-procurement costs of acquiring similar products or services from another contractor, and for certain other damages. Termination of a contract for the convenience of the government may occur when the government concludes it is in the best interests of the U.S. Government that the contract be terminated. Under a termination for convenience, the contractor is typically paid in accordance with the contract’s terms for costs incurred under the contract prior to the effective date of termination, plus a reasonable profit and settlement expenses. The company does not have any contract termination in process that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations at March 31, 2012. Guarantees of Subsidiary Performance Obligations From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the company guarantees obligations of its subsidiaries under certain contracts. Generally, the company is liable under such an arrangement only if its subsidiary is unable to perform under its contract. Historically, the company has not incurred any substantial liabilities as a result of these guarantees. In addition, the company’s subsidiaries may enter into joint ventures, teaming and other business arrangements (collectively, Business Arrangements) to support the company’s products and services in domestic and international markets. The company generally strives to limit its exposure under these arrangements to its subsidiary’s investment in the Business Arrangements, or to the extent of such subsidiary’s obligations under the applicable contract. In some cases, however, the company is required to guarantee performance by the Business Arrangements and, in such cases, the company generally obtains cross-indemnification from the other members of the Business Arrangements. At March 31, 2012, the company is not aware of any existing event of default that would require it to satisfy any of these guarantees. U.S. Government Cost Claims From time to time, the company is advised of claims by the U.S. Government concerning certain potential disallowed costs, plus at times, penalties and interest. When such findings are presented, the company and the U.S. Government representatives engage in discussions to enable the company to evaluate the merits of these claims, as well as to assess the amounts being claimed. Where appropriate, provisions are made to reflect the company’s expected exposure to the matters raised by the U.S. Government. Such provisions are reviewed on a quarterly basis for sufficiency based on the most recent information available. The company believes that it has adequately reserved for any disputed amounts and that the outcome of any such matters would not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2012, or its annual results of operations or cash flows. Environmental Matters The estimated cost to complete remediation has been accrued where the company believes, based on the facts and circumstances known to the company, that it is probable that the company will incur costs to address environmental impacts at currently or formerly owned or leased operating facilities, or at sites where it has been named a Potentially Responsible Party by the Environmental Protection Agency, or similarly designated by other environmental agencies. As of March 31, 2012, management estimates that the range of reasonably possible future costs for environmental remediation is between $308 million and $748 million, before considering the amount recoverable through overhead charges on U.S. Government contracts. At March 31, 2012, the amount accrued for probable environmental remediation costs was $336 million, of which $84 million is accrued in other current liabilities and $252 million is accrued in other non-current liabilities. A portion of the environmental remediation costs is expected to be recoverable through overhead charges on government contracts and, accordingly, such amounts are deferred in inventoried costs and other non-current assets. As of March 31, 2012, $55 million is deferred in inventoried costs and $142 million is deferred in other non-current assets. These amounts are evaluated for recoverability on a routine basis. Although management cannot predict whether new information gained as projects progress will materially affect the estimated liability accrued, management does not anticipate that future remediation expenditures will have a material adverse effect on the company's consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2012, or its annual results of operations or cash flows. Financial Arrangements In the ordinary course of business, the company uses standby letters of credit and guarantees issued by commercial banks and surety bonds issued principally by insurance companies to guarantee the performance on certain obligations. At March 31, 2012, there were $184 million of stand-by letters of credit, $169 million of bank guarantees, and $109 million of surety bonds outstanding. Indemnifications The company has retained certain warranty, environmental, income tax, and other potential liabilities in connection with certain of its divestitures. The settlement of these liabilities is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2012, or its annual results of operations or cash flows. Operating Leases Rental expense for operating leases, excluding discontinued operations, was $84 million and $105 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts are net of immaterial amounts of sublease rental income. Guarantee of Former Subsidiary A subsidiary of the company has guaranteed HII’s outstanding $84 million Economic Development Revenue Bonds (Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. Project), Taxable Series 1999A. The immaterial fair value of this guarantee was recorded in other long-term liabilities. In addition, HII has assumed the responsibility for the payment and performance of all outstanding indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the company under this guarantee, and has agreed to indemnify the company against all liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this guarantee.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contract Performance Contingencies

Contract profit margins may include estimates of revenues not contractually agreed to between the customer and the company for matters such as settlements in the process of negotiation, contract changes, claims and requests for equitable adjustment for previously unanticipated contract costs. As of March 31, 2012, the recognized amounts related to claims and requests for equitable adjustment are not material individually or in the aggregate.

Contract Terminations

The company’s U.S. Government contracts generally contain provisions that enable the customer to terminate a contract for default, or for the convenience of the government. If the contract is terminated for default, the contractor may not be entitled to recover any of its costs on partially completed work and may be liable to the government for any excess re-procurement costs of acquiring similar products or services from another contractor, and for certain other damages. Termination of a contract for the convenience of the government may occur when the government concludes it is in the best interests of the U.S. Government that the contract be terminated. Under a termination for convenience, the contractor is typically paid in accordance with the contract’s terms for costs incurred under the contract prior to the effective date of termination, plus a reasonable profit and settlement expenses. The company does not have any contract termination in process that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations at March 31, 2012.

Guarantees of Subsidiary Performance Obligations

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the company guarantees obligations of its subsidiaries under certain contracts. Generally, the company is liable under such an arrangement only if its subsidiary is unable to perform under its contract. Historically, the company has not incurred any substantial liabilities as a result of these guarantees.

In addition, the company’s subsidiaries may enter into joint ventures, teaming and other business arrangements (collectively, Business Arrangements) to support the company’s products and services in domestic and international markets. The company generally strives to limit its exposure under these arrangements to its subsidiary’s investment in the Business Arrangements, or to the extent of such subsidiary’s obligations under the applicable contract. In some cases, however, the company is required to guarantee performance by the Business Arrangements and, in such cases, the company generally obtains cross-indemnification from the other members of the Business Arrangements.

At March 31, 2012, the company is not aware of any existing event of default that would require it to satisfy any of these guarantees.

U.S. Government Cost Claims

From time to time, the company is advised of claims by the U.S. Government concerning certain potential disallowed costs, plus at times, penalties and interest. When such findings are presented, the company and the U.S. Government representatives engage in discussions to enable the company to evaluate the merits of these claims, as well as to assess the amounts being claimed. Where appropriate, provisions are made to reflect the company’s expected exposure to the matters raised by the U.S. Government. Such provisions are reviewed on a quarterly basis for sufficiency based on the most recent information available. The company believes that it has adequately reserved for any disputed amounts and that the outcome of any such matters would not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2012, or its annual results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

The estimated cost to complete remediation has been accrued where the company believes, based on the facts and circumstances known to the company, that it is probable that the company will incur costs to address environmental impacts at currently or formerly owned or leased operating facilities, or at sites where it has been named a Potentially Responsible Party by the Environmental Protection Agency, or similarly designated by other environmental agencies. As of March 31, 2012, management estimates that the range of reasonably possible future costs for environmental remediation is between $308 million and $748 million, before considering the amount recoverable through overhead charges on U.S. Government contracts. At March 31, 2012, the amount accrued for probable environmental remediation costs was $336 million, of which $84 million is accrued in other current liabilities and $252 million is accrued in other non-current liabilities. A portion of the environmental remediation costs is expected to be recoverable through overhead charges on government contracts and, accordingly, such amounts are deferred in inventoried costs and other non-current assets. As of March 31, 2012, $55 million is deferred in inventoried costs and $142 million is deferred in other non-current assets. These amounts are evaluated for recoverability on a routine basis. Although management cannot predict whether new information gained as projects progress will materially affect the estimated liability accrued, management does not anticipate that future remediation expenditures will have a material adverse effect on the company's consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2012, or its annual results of operations or cash flows.

Financial Arrangements

In the ordinary course of business, the company uses standby letters of credit and guarantees issued by commercial banks and surety bonds issued principally by insurance companies to guarantee the performance on certain obligations. At March 31, 2012, there were $184 million of stand-by letters of credit, $169 million of bank guarantees, and $109 million of surety bonds outstanding.

Indemnifications

The company has retained certain warranty, environmental, income tax, and other potential liabilities in connection with certain of its divestitures. The settlement of these liabilities is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2012, or its annual results of operations or cash flows.

Operating Leases

Rental expense for operating leases, excluding discontinued operations, was $84 million and $105 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts are net of immaterial amounts of sublease rental income.

Guarantee of Former Subsidiary

A subsidiary of the company has guaranteed HII’s outstanding $84 million Economic Development Revenue Bonds (Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. Project), Taxable Series 1999A. The immaterial fair value of this guarantee was recorded in other long-term liabilities. In addition, HII has assumed the responsibility for the payment and performance of all outstanding indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the company under this guarantee, and has agreed to indemnify the company against all liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this guarantee.