2021 Repurchase Program - Completion Date

No definition available.

Name:	noc_A2021RepurchaseProgramCompletionDate
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

2022 Repurchase Program - Completion Date

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_A2022RepurchaseProgramCompletionDate
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accelerated Share Repurchase Final Receipt Shares

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseFinalReceiptShares
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Accelerated Share Repurchase Initial Receipt (Shares)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseInitialReceiptShares
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Share Repurchases - Notes to Table

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	noc_ShareRepurchasesNotesToTableAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	noc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount authorized for purchase of share under share repurchase plan. Includes, but is not limited to, repurchase of stock and unit of ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481520/505-30-50-4

+ Details

Name:	srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	srt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The adjustment needed to reconcile previously recorded amounts to the actual aggregate amount paid, whether in cash or other consideration, to acquire all of the shares purchased under an Accelerated Share Repurchase arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Description of the nature of the settlement (cash or stock) of the accelerated share repurchases agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 5
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481138/505-30-25-5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Final price paid per share for the purchase of the targeted number of shares, determined by an average market price over a fixed period of time.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesFinalPricePaidPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of cash receipt from (payment to) bank; or stock received from (issuance to) bank in the settlement of the accelerated share repurchase agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount remaining authorized for purchase of share under share repurchase plan. Includes, but is not limited to, repurchase of stock and unit of ownership.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 505
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481112/505-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480008/505-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased and retired during the period. The excess of the purchase price over par value can be charged against retained earnings (once the excess is fully allocated to additional paid in capital).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total cost of shares repurchased divided by the total number of shares repurchased.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481549/505-30-45-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares of common and preferred stock retired from treasury during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 505
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481112/505-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480008/505-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity impact of the cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the par value method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 505
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481112/505-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480008/505-10-S99-1

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481549/505-30-45-1

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis=noc_January2021ShareRepurchaseProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis=noc_January2022ShareRepurchaseProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis=noc_December2023ShareRepurchaseProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis=noc_December2024ShareRepurchaseProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesDateAxis=noc_Q123ASRMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesDateAxis=noc_Q12024ASRMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Earnings Per Share, Share Repurchases (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions						1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			13 Months Ended	23 Months Ended	35 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2024	Jan. 31, 2024	Apr. 27, 2023	Apr. 06, 2023	Feb. 02, 2023	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	May 01, 2024	Apr. 25, 2023	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 11, 2024	Dec. 06, 2023	Jan. 24, 2022	Jan. 25, 2021
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Shares Repurchased										5,400	3,300	3,300
Share Repurchases - Notes to Table [Abstract]
Share Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized, Amount						$ 4,100				$ 4,100			$ 4,100
January 2021 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Amount Authorized																			$ 3,000
Shares Retired															7,000
Average Price Per Share															$ 431.05
2021 Repurchase Program - Completion Date				April 2023
Shares Repurchased										0	1,400	3,300
January 2022 Share Repurchase Program
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Amount Authorized																		$ 2,000
Shares Retired														4,400
Average Price Per Share														$ 455.01
2022 Repurchase Program - Completion Date	February 2024
Shares Repurchased										2,500	1,900	0
December 2023 Share Repurchase Program
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Amount Authorized																	$ 2,500
Shares Retired							2,900
Average Price Per Share							$ 472.26
Shares Repurchased										2,900	0	0
Shares repurchased amount													1,400
Share Repurchases - Notes to Table [Abstract]
Share Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized, Amount						$ 1,100				$ 1,100			$ 1,100
December 2024 Share Repurchase Program
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Amount Authorized																$ 3,000
Shares Retired						0
Average Price Per Share						$ 0
Shares Repurchased										0	0	0
Q1'23 ASR [Member]
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Cash or Stock Settlement					500 million
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Settlement (Payment) or Receipt					$ 500
Accelerated Share Repurchase Initial Receipt (Shares)					900
Common stock repurchased					$ 400
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Adjustment to Recorded Amount			$ 100
Accelerated Share Repurchase Final Receipt Shares			200
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Final Price Paid Per Share									$ 458.28
Q1'24 ASR [Member]
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Cash or Stock Settlement		1.0 billion
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Settlement (Payment) or Receipt		$ 1,000
Accelerated Share Repurchase Initial Receipt (Shares)		1,800
Common stock repurchased		$ 800
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Adjustment to Recorded Amount		$ 200
Accelerated Share Repurchase Final Receipt Shares								400
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Final Price Paid Per Share								$ 455.73