Supplemental Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset impairments									$ 6,975,000	$ 0	$ 0
Forward loss provision									5,234,000	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,476,000)	(86,000)	2,097,000	(1,228,000)	3,183,000	894,000	271,000	1,230,000	(1,693,000)	5,578,000	(4,742,000)
Tax credits for the year					2,200,000				4,500,000	2,200,000
La Barge
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)							(1,600,000)
Ducommun AeroStructures
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset impairments	7,000,000
Forward loss provision	5,200,000
Federal Research and Development
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)				(2,000,000)
Embraer Legacy 400/500 | Ducommun AeroStructures
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset impairments	5,700,000
Forward loss provision	3,900,000
Inventory write-down	1,900,000
Boeing 777 | Ducommun AeroStructures
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset impairments	1,300,000
Forward loss provision	$ 1,300,000