XML 35 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Retirement Benefits (Details 10) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Actual return on plan assets:    
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 26,279us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets $ 25,273us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Level 3    
Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Significant Unobservable Inputs (Table Amounts) [Abstract]    
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 5,670us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
5,028us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Actual return on plan assets:    
Unrealized (losses) gains, net 67us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
358us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Realized gains, net 170us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
43us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Purchases 513us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
1,629us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Sales (993)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
(1,388)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 5,427us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
5,670us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
High yield debt and Hedge funds | Level 3    
Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Significant Unobservable Inputs (Table Amounts) [Abstract]    
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 822us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
786us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Actual return on plan assets:    
Unrealized (losses) gains, net (46)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
(16)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Realized gains, net 89us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
43us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Purchases 21us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
200us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Sales (254)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
(191)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 632us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
822us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= noc_HighyielddebtandHedgefundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Private equities    
Actual return on plan assets:    
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,030us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
2,075us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Private equities | Level 3    
Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Significant Unobservable Inputs (Table Amounts) [Abstract]    
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 2,075us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
1,980us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Actual return on plan assets:    
Unrealized (losses) gains, net (60)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
112us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Realized gains, net 10us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Purchases 431us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
666us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Sales (426)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
(683)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,030us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
2,075us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Real estate    
Actual return on plan assets:    
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,759us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
2,767us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
Real estate | Level 3    
Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Significant Unobservable Inputs (Table Amounts) [Abstract]    
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 2,767us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
2,256us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Actual return on plan assets:    
Unrealized (losses) gains, net 173us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
262us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Realized gains, net 71us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
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= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Purchases 61us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
763us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Sales (313)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
(514)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 2,759us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
2,767us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Other Investments | Level 3    
Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Significant Unobservable Inputs (Table Amounts) [Abstract]    
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 6us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
6us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Actual return on plan assets:    
Unrealized (losses) gains, net 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Realized gains, net 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod
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= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Purchases 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Sales 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 6us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
$ 6us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
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= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
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