<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>130</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>212</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>55</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>102 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>103 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>104 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>105 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Preferred Stock and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInPreferredStockAndStockholdersDeficitEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Preferred Stock and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>106 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>107 - Disclosure - ORGANIZATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/Organization</Role>
      <ShortName>ORGANIZATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>108 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>109 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>110 - Disclosure - INVENTORIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>INVENTORIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>111 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>112 - Disclosure - CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CreditLineAndNotesPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>113 - Disclosure - PREFERRED STOCK</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/PreferredStock</Role>
      <ShortName>PREFERRED STOCK</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>114 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>115 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>116 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>117 - Disclosure - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>118 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>119 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/FairValuesOfAssetsAndLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>120 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>121 - Disclosure - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>122 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>123 - Statement - INVENTORIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INVENTORIES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>124 - Statement - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>125 - Statement - CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CreditLineAndNotesPayableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>126 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>127 - Statement - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>128 - Statement - FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/FairValuesOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>129 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>130 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>131 - Statement - INVENTORIES (Schedule Of Inventories) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/InventoriesScheduleOfInventoriesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INVENTORIES (Schedule Of Inventories) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>132 - Statement - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesScheduleOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>133 - Statement - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>134 - Statement - CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Outstanding Notes Payable) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CreditLineAndNotesPayableOutstandingNotesPayableDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Outstanding Notes Payable) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>135 - Statement - CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CreditLineAndNotesPayableAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>136 - Statement - PREFERRED STOCK (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/PreferredStockAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>PREFERRED STOCK (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>137 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Warrants To Purchase Common Stock Outstanding) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/StockholdersEquityWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockOutstandingDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Warrants To Purchase Common Stock Outstanding) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>138 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Schedule Of Change In The Fair Value Of The Warrants Liability) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/StockholdersEquityScheduleOfChangeInFairValueOfWarrantsLiabilityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Schedule Of Change In The Fair Value Of The Warrants Liability) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>139 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (The Black-Scholes Pricing Model With The Following Assumptions For Awards To Employees And Non-Employees) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/StockholdersEquityTheBlackscholesPricingModelWithFollowingAssumptionsForAwardsToEmployeesAndNonemployeesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (The Black-Scholes Pricing Model With The Following Assumptions For Awards To Employees And Non-Employees) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>140 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/StockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>141 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>142 - Statement - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>143 - Disclosure - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShareNetIncomeLossPerCommonShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>144 - Disclosure - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Dilutive Common Share Equivalents Were Excluded From The Calculation Of Diluted Net Income Per Common Share) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/NetIncomeLossPerCommonShareDilutiveCommonShareEquivalentsWereExcludedFromCalculationOfDilutedNetIncomePerCommonShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Dilutive Common Share Equivalents Were Excluded From The Calculation Of Diluted Net Income Per Common Share) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>145 - Statement - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>146 - Statement - FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/FairValuesOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>147 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Cash Paid for Interest and Income Taxes) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationCashPaidForInterestAndIncomeTaxesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Cash Paid for Interest and Income Taxes) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>148 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>149 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities) (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesParentheticalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities) (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>150 - Statement - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Additional Information) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://cyalume.com/role/SubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Additional Information) (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element cylu_ConvertiblePreferredStockConversionPrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 8.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">Warning: The equity rendering routine was not applied to 137 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Warrants To Purchase Common Stock Outstanding) (Detail).
None of the elements feature the 'periodStartLabel' preferred label role.</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">Warning: The equity rendering routine was not applied to 139 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (The Black-Scholes Pricing Model With The Following Assumptions For Awards To Employees And Non-Employees) (Detail).
None of the elements feature the 'periodStartLabel' preferred label role.</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">Warning: The equity rendering routine was not applied to 140 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Additional Information) (Detail).
None of the elements feature the 'periodStartLabel' preferred label role.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '142 - Statement - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Additional Information) (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 102 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 103 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 104 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 106 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 123 - Statement - INVENTORIES (Tables)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 124 - Statement - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 125 - Statement - CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 126 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 127 - Statement - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 128 - Statement - FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Tables)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 129 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 131 - Statement - INVENTORIES (Schedule Of Inventories) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 132 - Statement - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 133 - Statement - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Additional Information) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 134 - Statement - CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Outstanding Notes Payable) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 135 - Statement - CREDIT LINE AND NOTES PAYABLE (Additional Information) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 136 - Statement - PREFERRED STOCK (Additional Information) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 137 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Warrants To Purchase Common Stock Outstanding) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 139 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (The Black-Scholes Pricing Model With The Following Assumptions For Awards To Employees And Non-Employees) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 140 - Statement - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Additional Information) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 142 - Statement - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Additional Information) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 145 - Statement - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Additional Information) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 146 - Statement - FAIR VALUES OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 147 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Cash Paid for Interest and Income Taxes) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 148 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 149 - Statement - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities) (Parenthetical) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 150 - Statement - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Additional Information) (Detail)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2015'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2014'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>cylu-20150331.xml</File>
    <File>cylu-20150331.xsd</File>
    <File>cylu-20150331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>cylu-20150331_def.xml</File>
    <File>cylu-20150331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>cylu-20150331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
