Segment Reporting Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 31,513		$ 32,677		$ 32,466
Operating earnings	833		3,826		3,945
Identifiable Assets	34,309		34,883		32,545
Capital Expenditures	450		458		370
Depreciation and Amortization	620		592		569
U S Government
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	20,805		22,603		23,263
Aerospace
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,912		5,998		5,299
Operating earnings	858		729		860
Identifiable Assets	7,524		7,132		6,963
Capital Expenditures	204		153		66
Depreciation and Amortization	125		142		133
Aerospace | U S Government
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	160		171		220
Combat Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,992		8,827		8,878
Operating earnings	663		1,283		1,275
Identifiable Assets	9,619		9,967		9,324
Capital Expenditures	87		90		116
Depreciation and Amortization	173		173		162
Combat Systems | U S Government
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,699		6,343		6,637
Marine Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,592		6,631		6,677
Operating earnings	750		691		674
Identifiable Assets	3,032		2,858		2,612
Capital Expenditures	85		116		95
Depreciation and Amortization	95		74		74
Marine Systems | U S Government
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,504		6,582		6,518
Information Systems and Technology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,017		11,221		11,612
Operating earnings	(1,369)		1,200		1,219
Identifiable Assets	9,701		11,934		10,898
Capital Expenditures	72		93		83
Depreciation and Amortization	220		196		193
Information Systems and Technology | U S Government
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,442		9,507		9,888
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	[1]	0	[1]	0
Operating earnings	(69)	[1]	(77)	[1]	(83)
Identifiable Assets	4,433	[1]	2,992	[1]	2,748
Capital Expenditures	2	[1]	6	[1]	10
Depreciation and Amortization	7	[1]	7	[1]	7	[1]
Corporate | U S Government
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]

[1] Corporate operating results primarily consist of stock option expense. Corporate identifiable assets are primarily cash and equivalents.