Special Charges - Special charges by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016
Special Charges
Special Charges	$ 115	$ 115
Severance Costs
Special Charges
Special Charges	66	66
Contract Terminations and Other
Special Charges
Special Charges	13	13
Textron Systems
Special Charges
Special Charges	59	59
Textron Systems | Severance Costs
Special Charges
Special Charges	13	13
Textron Systems | Contract Terminations and Other
Special Charges
Special Charges	13	13
Textron Aviation
Special Charges
Special Charges	35	35
Textron Aviation | Severance Costs
Special Charges
Special Charges	34	34
Industrial
Special Charges
Special Charges	13	13
Industrial | Severance Costs
Special Charges
Special Charges	11	11
Bell
Special Charges
Special Charges	8	8
Bell | Severance Costs
Special Charges
Special Charges	8	8
Asset Impairments
Special Charges
Special Charges	36	36
Asset Impairments | Textron Systems
Special Charges
Special Charges	33	33
Asset Impairments | Textron Aviation
Special Charges
Special Charges	1	1
Asset Impairments | Industrial
Special Charges
Special Charges	$ 2	$ 2