Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Y	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 715,000,000	$ 712,000,000	$ 749,000,000
Capitalized internal-use software, net	809,000,000	864,000,000
Capitalized internal-use software accumulated amortization	1,500,000,000	1,300,000,000
Time period environmental costs and recovery of environmental costs are projected over, years	20
Net increase in operating profit, net of state taxes, from the impact of changes in profit booking rates and other matters	1,900,000,000	1,600,000,000	1,400,000,000
Increase in net earnings from the impact of changes in profit booking rates and other matters	1,200,000,000	1,000,000,000	890,000,000
Increase in diluted earnings per share from the impact of changes in profit booking rates and other matters	$ 3.70	$ 3.00	$ 2.40
Independent research and development costs charged to cost of sales	616,000,000	585,000,000	639,000,000
Fair value of trading securities	874,000,000	781,000,000
Net gains on marketable securities	67,000,000	40,000,000	56,000,000
Total equity method investments	749,000,000	697,000,000
Net earnings from equity investments	277,000,000	332,000,000	312,000,000
Aggregate notional amount of outstanding foreign currency hedges	1,300,000,000	1,700,000,000
Aggregate notional amount of outstanding interest rate swaps	503,000,000	450,000,000
Number of years over which stock awards vest	3 years
Post retirement benefit plan adjustments, tax benefits	7,400,000,000	6,100,000,000	4,900,000,000
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Ownership interest percentage needed for significant influence	20.00%
Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Ownership interest percentage needed for significant influence	50.00%
Space Systems
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net earnings from equity investments	265,000,000	285,000,000	300,000,000
Buildings | Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, estimated life (years)	10 years
Buildings | Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, estimated life (years)	40 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, estimated life (years)	5 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, estimated life (years)	15 years
Capitalized Software
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Capitalized internal-use software amortization	$ 217,000,000	$ 211,000,000	$ 211,000,000
Capitalized Software | Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, estimated life (years)	2 years
Capitalized Software | Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, estimated life (years)	6 years