ACQUISITIONS Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net Cash Paid		$ 2,504	$ 20,766
Stock Issued During Period, Value, for Acquisitions		$ 1,130
Milestone and Ponte Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Initial cash payments			21,394
Net Cash Paid			$ 20,751
Number of shares of KeyW stock			242,250
Equity Issued			$ 1,858
Milestone [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of shares of KeyW stock		129,530
Stock Issued During Period, Value, for Acquisitions		$ 1,000
Geospatial Intelligence Collection Business [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net Cash Paid	$ 2,500
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	3,900
Maximum cash consideration	2,500	2,500
Contingent cash consideration, preliminary valuation	$ 1,400	$ 1,400