CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 275,749	$ 214,891	$ 187,329
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	102,949	99,995	96,008
(Gain) loss on sale of businesses	(1,735)	(875)	(845)
(Gain) loss on fixed asset disposals	(1,120)	29	(2,069)
Deferred income taxes	8,562	(5,782)	1,224
Share-based compensation	14,094	11,572	9,478
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and divested:
Accounts receivable, net	(57,492)	(16,388)	91,692
Inventories, net	(41,197)	19,711	4,391
Progress payments	(11,121)	(774)	2,583
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	48,930	4,323	4,125
Deferred revenue	23,082	36,898	(11,084)
Income taxes	(8,847)	(5,479)	11,797
Net pension and postretirement liabilities	(43,759)	3,481	3,405
Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement	0	0	20,405
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities	23,357	25,686	11,474
Other current and long-term assets and liabilities	4,821	1,424	(6,716)
Net cash provided by operating activities	336,273	388,712	423,197
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and disposals of long-lived assets	9,117	6,769	3,674
Proceeds from divestiture	958	6,973	1,027
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	(1,547)	0	0
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(53,417)	(52,705)	(46,776)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(210,167)	(232,630)	(295)
Additional consideration of prior period acquisitions	(460)	(735)	(564)
Net cash used for investing activities	(255,516)	(272,328)	(42,934)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	372,980	7,658	7,839
Payment of revolving credit facilities	(372,887)	(8,176)	(8,430)
Principal payments on debt	(50,000)	(150,000)	0
Repurchases of common stock	(198,592)	(52,127)	(105,249)
Proceeds from share-based compensation	11,940	14,179	22,300
Dividends paid	(26,328)	(24,740)	(23,067)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	(752)	(692)	(635)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	0	11,101
Net cash provided by financing activities	(263,639)	(213,898)	(96,141)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash	(16,172)	18,786	(18,971)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(199,054)	(78,728)	265,151
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	475,120	553,848	288,697
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	276,066	475,120	553,848
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	$ 2,193	$ 976	$ 2,512