CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 130,423	$ 106,598	$ 95,221
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	88,300	79,946	76,480
Net (gain) loss on sales and disposals or impairments of long-lived assets	(670)	1,446	1,917
Gain on bargain purchase	0	0	1,937
Gain on divestiture	1,298
Deferred income taxes	3,345	2,828	(6,470)
Share-based compensation	9,621	13,378	15,264
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
Accounts receivable, net	(86,000)	(60,208)	9,250
Inventories, net	(23,429)	10,640	17,819
Progress payments	11,264	6,493	(8,573)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	15,628	9,925	(30,565)
Deferred revenue	53,498	(20,913)	28,724
Income taxes	3,917	(1,122)	(11,326)
Net pension and postretirement liabilities	(4,234)	24,528	19,654
Other current and long-term assets	1,997	(1,829)	(8,879)
Total adjustments	71,939	65,112	101,358
Net cash provided by operating activities	202,362	171,710	196,579
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and disposals of long-lived assets	2,497	744	3,789
Acquisitions of intangible assets	(22)	(1,608)	(673)
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(84,831)	(52,980)	(75,643)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(178,080)	(42,200)	(68,623)
Disposition of businesses	8,100
Net cash used for investing activities	(252,336)	(96,044)	(141,150)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on debt	1,302,600	513,100	711,059
Principal payments on debt	(1,112,814)	(581,771)	(762,759)
Repurchases of company stock	(8,178)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	11,746	10,560	10,557
Dividends paid	(14,893)	(14,729)	(14,559)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,343	985	378
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	179,804	(71,855)	(55,324)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash	(3,562)	(702)	4,200
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	126,268	3,109	4,305
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	68,119	65,010	60,705
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	194,387	68,119	65,010
Supplemental disclosure of investing activities:
Fair value of assets acquired in current year acquisitions	204,363	49,939	81,103
Additional consideration paid on prior year acquisitions	0	1,153	1,835
Liabilities assumed from current year acquisitions	(20,501)	(8,206)	(12,102)
Cash acquired	(5,782)	(686)	(276)
Gain on bargain purchase	0	0	(1,937)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	$ 178,080	$ 42,200	$ 68,623