2021 Note, Face Amount

No definition available.

Name:	noc_A2021NoteFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

2021 Note, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_A2021NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	dtr-types1:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

2022 Note, Face Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_A2022NoteFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

2022 Note, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_A2022NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	dtr-types1:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of short-term and long-term debt and lease obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13,16)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479853/942-210-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482900/835-30-50-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1B

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69B

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69C
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69C

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482925/835-30-45-2

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482949/835-30-55-8

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1B

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482925/835-30-45-3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1D
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1D

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after deduction of unamortized premium (discount) and debt issuance cost, of long-term debt. Excludes lease obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 210
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69B

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69C
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69C

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1D
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1D

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16)(a)(2))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479440/944-210-S99-1

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479853/942-210-S99-1

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, classified as noncurrent.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after deduction of unamortized premium (discount) and debt issuance cost, of long-term debt classified as current. Excludes lease obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(20))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt classified as other.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The excess of the (1) fair value of consideration transferred to the holders of a security in excess of (2) the carrying amount of the security reported on the registrant's balance sheet, which will be deducted from net earnings to derive net earnings available to common shareholders. This amount is generally an adjustment considered in the computation of earnings per share.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandTwentyThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandTwentyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandTwentySixMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandTwentySevenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandTwentyEightMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandThirtyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandThirtyOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_A2033Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandFortyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandFortyThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandFortyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandFortySevenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_TwoThousandFiftyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=noc_A2053Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt Fixed-rate Notes and Other (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2023	Aug. 01, 2023	Feb. 08, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Mar. 01, 2021
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 2,000
Long-term debt		$ 13,856
Other long-term debt		332			$ 293
Debt issuance costs		(69)			(59)
Total long-term debt		13,856			12,877
Less: current portion		70			1,072
Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation		$ 13,786			11,805
Repayments of Senior Debt [Abstract]
2021 Note, Face Amount						$ 700
2021 Note, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						3.50%
2022 Note, Face Amount						$ 1,500
2022 Note, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						2.55%
Redemption Premium	$ 54
2023
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 1,050
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.25%	3.25%
Long-term debt		$ 0			1,050
2025
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.93%
Long-term debt		$ 1,500			1,500
2026
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Long-term debt		$ 527			527
2027
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.20%
Long-term debt		$ 750			750
2028
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.25%
Long-term debt		$ 2,000			2,000
2030
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.40%
Long-term debt		$ 750			750
2031
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.75%
Long-term debt		$ 466			466
Two Thousand Thirty Three
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.70%		4.70%
Long-term debt		$ 1,000			0
2040
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Long-term debt		$ 800			800
2043
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.75%
Long-term debt		$ 950			950
2045
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.85%
Long-term debt		$ 600			600
2047
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.03%
Long-term debt		$ 2,250			2,250
2050
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.25%
Long-term debt		$ 1,000			1,000
Two Thousand Fifty Three
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.95%		4.95%
Long-term debt		$ 1,000			$ 0
Minimum \| 2026
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.75%
Minimum \| 2040
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.05%
Maximum \| 2026
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.88%
Maximum \| 2040
Long-Term Debt (Table Amounts) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.15%