Operating Segments and Related Information Operating Segments and Related Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	$ 358,141	$ 332,230	$ 1,096,053	$ 1,018,973
Revenue - Intersegments	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from operations	63,539	74,237	202,942	203,253
Thermal Vision and Measurement
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	177,100	149,540	519,453	447,922
Revenue - Intersegments	5,201	3,076	12,397	12,527
Earnings (loss) from operations	43,744	42,916	125,509	109,651
Raymarine
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	35,800	31,659	127,087	125,443
Revenue - Intersegments	0	0	0	4
Earnings (loss) from operations	2,050	374	14,345	9,944
Surveillance
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	102,966	115,915	331,824	350,005
Revenue - Intersegments	8,240	5,260	22,520	17,246
Earnings (loss) from operations	30,535	39,243	100,835	114,965
Detection
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	13,103	15,401	40,016	50,467
Revenue - Intersegments	1,836	1,027	6,098	1,803
Earnings (loss) from operations	1,354	1,131	3,265	801
Integrated Systems
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - External Customers	29,172	19,715	77,673	45,136
Revenue - Intersegments	384	295	1,082	1,342
Earnings (loss) from operations	(97)	1,333	112	1,267
Eliminations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue - Intersegments	(15,661)	(9,658)	(42,097)	(32,922)
Other
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from operations	$ (14,047)	$ (10,760)	$ (41,124)	$ (33,375)