Name:	noc_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the amount of any measurement period adjustment (as defined) realized during the reporting period to Other current liabilities acquired in connection with a business combination for which the initial accounting was incomplete.

No definition available.

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

This element represents the amount of any measurement period adjustment (as defined) realized during the reporting period to Pension and other post-retirement benefit plan liabilities acquired in connection with a business combination for which the initial accounting was incomplete.

No definition available.

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

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

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

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84161108&loc=SL65897772-128472

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

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77989000&loc=SL49117168-202975

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99380562&loc=d3e13770-109266