CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 32,547	$ 32,819
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,926	24,487
Gain on fixed asset disposals	(38)	(7)
Deferred income taxes	(877)	11,939
Share-based compensation	3,364	2,723
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and divested:
Accounts receivable, net	(7,373)	86,973
Inventories, net	(3,688)	(17,766)
Progress payments	(797)	(1,463)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(75,676)	(80,996)
Deferred revenue	3,743	1,505
Income taxes payable	(2,249)	(10,519)
Net pension and postretirement liabilities	(2,019)	2,444
Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement	0	20,405
Other current and long-term assets and liabilities	3,196	(2,284)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(24,941)	70,260
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and disposals of long lived assets	85	203
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(10,374)	(8,825)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	239,372	0
Net cash used for investing activities	(249,661)	(8,622)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	120	2,391
Repayments of Lines of Credit	(209)	(2,737)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,885)	(29,608)
Proceeds from share-based compensation	5,195	7,910
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	(224)	(154)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	4,528
Net cash used for financing activities	(8,003)	(17,670)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash	1,663	4,598
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(280,942)	48,566
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	553,848	288,697
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	272,906	337,263
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid	$ 1,370	$ 580