Business Segment Information for Continuing Operations (Detail) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 27, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 27, 2012 CAD	Jul. 29, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2012 Avionics & Controls USD ($)		Jul. 29, 2011 Avionics & Controls USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2012 Avionics & Controls USD ($)		Jul. 29, 2011 Avionics & Controls USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2012 Sensors & Systems USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2011 Sensors & Systems USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2012 Sensors & Systems USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2011 Sensors & Systems USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2012 Advanced Materials USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2011 Advanced Materials USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2012 Advanced Materials USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2011 Advanced Materials USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 485,949			$ 409,512	$ 1,461,662	$ 1,215,588	$ 195,059		$ 208,021	$ 569,656		$ 632,020	$ 171,603	$ 88,605	$ 527,958	$ 250,841	$ 119,287	$ 112,886	$ 364,048	$ 332,727
Segment Earnings	9,987			58,165	129,059	194,970	(25,611)	[1]	28,604	12,703	[1]	104,523	18,305	10,764	49,830	33,403	17,293	18,797	66,526	57,044
Corporate expense	(9,127)			(14,119)	(35,182)	(37,226)
Gain on settlement of contingency	0	11,900	11,800	0	11,891	0
Other income	1,263			6,366	1,263	6,366
Interest income	109			658	320	1,428
Interest expense	(12,159)			(10,286)	(35,171)	(28,381)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0			0	0	(831)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	$ (9,927)			$ 40,784	$ 72,180	$ 136,326

[1] Includes a $52.2 million impairment charge against Racal Acoustics' goodwill.