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Goodwill and Other Purchased Intangible Assets (Details 4) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]      
Amortization of Intangible Assets $ 22us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets $ 26us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets $ 36us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life 21 years    
Aerospace Systems [Member]      
Goodwill [Line Items]      
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss $ 570us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= noc_AerospaceSystemsMember