Note 2 - Dispositions and Exit Activities (Details) - Discontinued Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 17,279	$ 18,706	$ 38,298	$ 46,207
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes	53	171	151	262
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(120)	49	144	(22)
Ultralife Batteries UK, Ltd. [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations			241
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			241
RedBlack Communications Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales		951		2,137
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	(118)	68	(111)	56
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes		12		23
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (118)	$ 56	$ (111)	$ 33

Overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, before income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the following (before income tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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