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Long-Term Debt (Details 4) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
May 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Interest paid, net of interest received $ 281noc_InterestPaidNetOfInterestReceived $ 234noc_InterestPaidNetOfInterestReceived $ 200noc_InterestPaidNetOfInterestReceived  
Payments of long-term debt 0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt 877us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt 0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt  
Senior Notes [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount       2,850us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
2014 and 2015 Maturity [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Payments of long-term debt       $ 850us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= noc_A2014and2015MaturityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember