Non-employee directors with Unexercised Options

No definition available.

Name:	noc_NonemployeeDirectorswithunexercisedoptions
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

percentt of original grant subject to forfeit if financial metrics are not met

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardForfeitedPercentageFinancialMetricNotMet
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award award grants percentage financial metric met exceeded.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardGrantsPercentageFinancialMetricMetExceeded
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized, Originally authorized under 2001 Long-Term Incentive Stock Plan and available to be issued the date of the 2001 Plan expiration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardNumberofSharesAuthorizedOriginallyauthorizedunder2001LongTermIncentiveStockPlan
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Share limit issued in connection with awards.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_ShareLimitIssuedInConnectionWithAwards
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fair value, at the time of grant, for shares expected to be issued in the next fiscal year as a result of any share-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_StockExpectedToBeIssuedNextFiscalYearGrantDateFairValueShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares expected to be issued in the next fiscal year as a result of any share-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_StockExpectedToBeIssuedNextFiscalYearSharesShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock Issued During Period, Fair Value Grant Date, Share-based Compensation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_StockIssuedDuringPeriodFairValueGrantDateShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Estimated period over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of vesting of share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value, after forfeitures, of stock or other type of equity granted of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6743629&loc=d3e3913-113898

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418191&loc=d3e15009-113911

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockGrantedDuringPeriodValueSharebasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period related to Restricted Stock Awards, net of any shares forfeited.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value of stock related to Restricted Stock Awards issued during the period, net of the stock value of such awards forfeited.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Stock Compensation Plans and Other Compensation Arrangements (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Unrecognized compensation expense, non-vested awards	$ 102,000,000
Weighted-average period for unrecognized compensation expense to be charged to expense	1 year 3 months
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	118,000,000	97,000,000	46,000,000
Stock plans, vesting period	3 years
Stock issued, settlement of fully vested stock awards, shares	3,400,000	2,800,000	1,400,000
Stock issued, settlement of fully vested stock awards, fair value at issuance	226,000,000	172,000,000	87,000,000
Stock issued, settlement of fully vested stock awards, fair value grant date	105,000,000	75,000,000	101,000,000
Stock awards - granted	1,577,000	1,860,000	1,748,000
Common stock expected to be issued next year	2,500,000
Grant date fair value of common stock expected to be issued next year	80,000,000
Stock Option Plan Granted Prior To 2008
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Stock plans, vesting period	4 years
Award vesting rights, percentage	25.00%
Award expiration period	10 years
2011 Long-Term Incentive Stock Plan
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Number of shares authorized	39,100,000
Number of additional shares authorized, originally under 2001 LTISP	6,900,000
Share limit for every one share issued in connection with awards	4.5
Available for future grant	28,000,000
1995 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Award expiration period	10 years
Number of non-employee directors with unexercised options	3
Grants During 2010 and After [Member]
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Restricted stock forfeiture percentage if objectives not met	100.00%
Maximum percentage of original grant that can be earned if financial metrics are met or exceeded	200.00%
Minimum
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Required service period under 2011 Plan and 1993 SPND (years)	5 years
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Stock options, issued	0	0
Restricted Performance Stock Rights
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Stock awards - granted	1,100,000
Cash Units and Cash Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Unrecognized compensation expense, non-vested awards	108,000,000
Cash Units and Cash Performance Units [Member] \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Unrecognized compensation expense, non-vested awards	32,000,000
Cash Units and Cash Performance Units [Member] \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Unrecognized compensation expense, non-vested awards	173,000,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Stock awards - granted	500,000
Stock Option Plan Granted After 2008
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Stock plans, vesting period	3 years
Award vesting rights, percentage	33.00%
Award expiration period	7 years
Restricted Stock Rights and Restricted Performance Stock Rights
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment Award
Unrecognized compensation expense, non-vested awards	$ 101,000,000