Summary of Financial Information for Each Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 11,306				$ 11,408			$ 21,956		$ 22,478
Less: CAS cost	399				367			798		733
FAS/CAS pension income (expense)	85	[1]			(120)	[1]		171	[1]	(241)	[1]
Severance charges			(171)				(30)			(30)	[2]
Stock-based compensation	(49)				(59)			(97)		(112)
Other, net	(16)				(56)			(51)		(76)
Total unallocated, net	20				(235)			23		(459)
Operating profit	1,426				1,298			2,858		2,417
Total assets	37,250		36,188					37,250
Qualified defined benefit pension plans
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
FAS pension expense	(314)				(487)			(627)		(974)
Information Systems & Global Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance charges			(53)
Mission Systems and Training
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance charges			(37)
Space Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance charges			(81)
Business segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit	1,406				1,533			2,835		2,876
Total assets	26,004		25,812					26,004
Business segments | Aeronautics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	3,855				3,407			7,241		6,593
Operating profit	453				407			846		786
Total assets	5,979		5,821					5,979
Business segments | Information Systems & Global Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	1,941				2,101			3,851		4,207
Operating profit	175				194			349		383
Total assets	5,973		5,798					5,973
Business segments | Missiles and Fire Control
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	1,891				2,043			3,758		4,031
Operating profit	345				381			703		725
Total assets	4,165		4,159					4,165
Business segments | Mission Systems and Training
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	1,771				1,770			3,399		3,600
Operating profit	185				275			435		476
Total assets	6,351		6,512					6,351
Business segments | Space Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	1,848				2,087			3,707		4,047
Operating profit	248				276			502		506
Total assets	3,536		3,522					3,536
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	602				571			1,234		1,114
Intersegment elimination | Aeronautics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	30				49			57		99
Intersegment elimination | Information Systems & Global Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	172				173			348		363
Intersegment elimination | Missiles and Fire Control
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	76				71			163		124
Intersegment elimination | Mission Systems and Training
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	298				252			613		479
Intersegment elimination | Space Systems
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total intersegment sales	26				26			53		49
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 11,246	[3]	$ 10,376	[3]				$ 11,246	[3]

[1] The change in the FAS/CAS pension adjustment from expense to income between the periods was due to lower FAS pension expense in 2014 primarily as a result of the increase in the discount rate to 4.75% used in the measurement of our GAAP postretirement benefit plan obligations at the end of 2013 compared to 4.00% used at the end of 2012, and incrementally higher CAS costs in 2014 as a result of phasing in the CAS Harmonization rules as disclosed in our 2013 Form 10-K. The re-measurements of the assets and benefit obligations related to substantially all of our defined benefit pension plans in the quarter ended June 29, 2014 (Note 5) did not impact the FAS/CAS pension adjustment in any of the periods reflected above.

[2] Severance charges during the six months ended June 30, 2013 consisted of amounts, net of state tax benefits, associated with the elimination of certain positions at our IS&GS business segment (Note 8, under the caption "Restructuring Charges"). Severance charges for initiatives that are not significant are included in business segment operating profit.

[3] Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes, environmental receivables, and investments held in a separate trust to fund certain of our non-qualified deferred compensation plans.