Summary of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 48,413,000		$ 66,916,000		$ 56,338,000		$ 54,429,000		$ 47,784,000		$ 52,982,000		$ 41,145,000		$ 47,977,000		$ 226,096,000	$ 189,888,000	$ 225,797,000
Gross profit	11,246,000		14,903,000		14,603,000		14,054,000		12,626,000		11,697,000		11,321,000		11,898,000
Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	6,219,000		2,404,000		4,378,000		3,724,000		920,000		1,047,000		2,136,000		2,638,000		16,725,000	6,741,000	8,952,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Telos Corporation	3,116,000	[1],[2]	543,000	[1],[2]	1,973,000	[1],[2]	1,803,000	[1],[2]	(526,000)	[1],[3]	84,000	[1],[3]	780,000	[1],[3]	1,116,000	[1],[3]	7,435,000	1,454,000	3,047,000
Adjustment to income tax expense									$ 1,100,000

[1] Changes in net income are the result of several factors, including seasonality of the government year-end buying season, as well as the nature and timing of other deliverables.

[2] Reflects gain on early extinguishment of ITL Note in December 2012.

[3] Reflects tax adjustments of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter to reflect the actual tax expense for the year.