Document and Entity Information Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 29, 2021	Jul. 03, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Entity File Number	001-35419
Entity Registrant Name	KAMAN CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CT
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-0613548
Entity Address, Address Line One	1332 Blue Hills Avenue,
Entity Address, City or Town	Bloomfield,
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06002
City Area Code	(860)
Local Phone Number	743-7100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock ($1 par value)
Trading Symbol	KAMN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 1,098,247,815
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,731,154
Entity Central Index Key	0000054381
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Document Transition Report	false