XML 42 R75.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Retirement Benefits (Details 9) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 26,279us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets $ 25,273us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets  
Cash & cash equivalents      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 1,775us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
1,499us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
 
Domestic equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 4,878us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_DomesticEquitySecuritiesMember
4,452us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_DomesticEquitySecuritiesMember
 
International equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 4,737us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember
4,214us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember
 
U.S. Treasuries      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 957us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
1,602us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
 
U.S. Government Agency      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 909us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
974us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Non-U.S. Government      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 440us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
422us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Corporate debt      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 5,710us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
4,744us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Asset backed      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 608us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
549us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
 
High yield debt      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 586us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighYieldDebtSecuritiesMember
923us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_HighYieldDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Bank loans      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 228us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_BankLoansMember
185us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_BankLoansMember
 
Hedge funds      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 632us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember
821us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember
 
Private equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,030us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
2,075us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
 
Real estate      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,759us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
2,767us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
 
Other      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 30us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_OtherAssetCategoriesMember
46us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_OtherAssetCategoriesMember
 
Level 1      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 7,474us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
6,694us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 | Cash & cash equivalents      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 38us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
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32us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 | Domestic equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 4,729us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_DomesticEquitySecuritiesMember
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4,163us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 | International equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,675us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
2,473us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 1 | Other      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 32us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_OtherAssetCategoriesMember
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26us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
 
Level 2      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 13,378us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
12,909us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | Cash & cash equivalents      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 1,737us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
1,467us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | Domestic equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 147us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_DomesticEquitySecuritiesMember
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287us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | International equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,062us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
1,741us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | U.S. Treasuries      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 957us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
1,602us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | U.S. Government Agency      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 909us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
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974us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | Non-U.S. Government      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 440us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
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422us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | Corporate debt      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 5,710us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
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4,744us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | Asset backed      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 604us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
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545us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | High yield debt      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 586us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighYieldDebtSecuritiesMember
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922us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
 
Level 2 | Bank loans      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 228us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_BankLoansMember
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185us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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Level 2 | Other      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year (2)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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20us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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Level 3      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 5,427us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
5,670us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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5,028us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 | Domestic equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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2us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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Level 3 | Asset backed      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 4us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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Level 3 | High yield debt      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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1us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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Level 3 | Hedge funds      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 632us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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821us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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Level 3 | Private equities      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,030us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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2,075us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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1,980us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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Level 3 | Real estate      
Plan Assets by Fair Value Measurement Input (Table Amounts) [Abstract]      
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 2,759us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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$ 2,767us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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$ 2,256us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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