Teledyne FLIR (FLIR) 10-K 24 Feb 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 17, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FLIR SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	354,908
Trading Symbol	FLIR
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		136,344,186
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 4,212,638,793

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,662,167	$ 1,557,067	$ 1,530,654
Cost of goods sold	895,046	803,506	780,281
Gross profit	767,121	753,561	750,373
Operating expenses:
Research and development	147,537	132,892	142,751
Selling, general and administrative	322,435	313,544	331,995
Restructuring expenses	1,431	1,361	16,383
Total operating expenses	471,403	447,797	491,129
Earnings from operations	295,718	305,764	259,244
Interest expense	18,071	14,086	14,593
Interest income	(1,402)	(1,167)	(1,405)
Other expense (income), net	3,092	(12,601)	(3,473)
Earnings before income taxes	275,957	305,446	249,529
Income tax provision	109,331	63,760	49,268
Net earnings	$ 166,626	$ 241,686	$ 200,261
Net earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 1.73	$ 1.42
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 1.72	$ 1.39

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 166,626	$ 241,686	$ 200,261
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in minimum liability for pension plans, net of tax effects of $48, $238 and $(27), respectively	102	661	(212)
Fair value adjustment on interest rate swap contracts	(16)	(602)	(735)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(40,911)	(61,776)	(88,462)
Total other comprehensive loss	(40,825)	(61,717)	(89,409)
Comprehensive income	$ 125,801	$ 179,969	$ 110,852

Consolidated Statements of Com4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax	$ 48	$ 238	$ (27)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 361,349	$ 472,785
Accounts receivable, net	352,020	326,098
Inventories	371,371	393,092
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	79,917	95,539
Total current assets	1,164,657	1,287,514
Property and equipment, net	271,785	272,629
Deferred income taxes, net	45,243	55,429
Goodwill	801,406	596,316
Intangible assets, net	168,460	141,302
Other assets	168,155	53,210
Total assets	2,619,706	2,406,400
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	114,225	139,540
Deferred revenue	34,420	31,933
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	52,874	54,806
Accrued product warranties	17,476	13,406
Advance payments from customers	26,019	33,848
Accrued expenses	34,022	40,930
Accrued income taxes	51,017	201
Other current liabilities	16,659	5,987
Current portion, long-term debt	15,000	264,694
Total current liabilities	361,712	585,345
Long-term debt	501,921	93,750
Deferred income taxes	2,331	3,623
Accrued income taxes	9,643	10,457
Pension and other long-term liabilities	11,127	11,119
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	65,773	63,710
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12 and 13)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued at December 31, 2016 or 2015	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 136,334 and 137,350 shares issued at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and additional paid-in capital	12,139	1,374
Retained earnings	1,832,138	1,773,267
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(165,951)	(125,126)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,678,326	1,649,515
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,619,706	$ 2,406,400

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Common stock, shares issued	136,334	137,350

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands	Total	Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
Balance (in shares) at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013		140,782
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,613,380,000	$ 42,955,000	$ 1,544,425,000	$ 26,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings for the year	200,261,000		200,261,000
Income tax benefit of common stock options exercised	12,751,000	$ 12,751,000
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(4,243)
Repurchase of common stock	(139,238,000)	$ (122,851,000)	(16,387,000)
Common stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans, net (in shares)		3,040
Common stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans, net	37,774,000	$ 37,774,000
Stock-based compensation expense	30,767,000	$ 30,767,000
Dividends paid	(56,513,000)		(56,513,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(89,409,000)			(89,409,000)
Balance (in shares) at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014		139,579
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014	1,609,773,000	$ 1,396,000	1,671,786,000	(63,409,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings for the year	241,686,000		241,686,000
Income tax benefit of common stock options exercised	1,611,000	$ 1,611,000
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(4,169)
Repurchase of common stock	(123,193,000)	$ (44,387,000)	(78,806,000)
Common stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans, net (in shares)		1,940
Common stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans, net	17,071,000	$ 17,071,000
Stock-based compensation expense	25,683,000	$ 25,683,000
Dividends paid	(61,399,000)		(61,399,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(61,717,000)			(61,717,000)
Balance (in shares) at end of period at Dec. 31, 2015		137,350
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2015	1,649,515,000	$ 1,374,000	1,773,267,000	(125,126,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings for the year	166,626,000		166,626,000
Income tax benefit of common stock options exercised	1,329,000	$ 1,329,000
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(2,132)
Repurchase of common stock	(66,057,000)	$ (24,222,000)	(41,835,000)
Common stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans, net (in shares)		1,116
Common stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans, net	5,985,000	$ 5,985,000
Stock-based compensation expense	27,673,000	$ 27,673,000
Dividends paid	(65,920,000)		(65,920,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(40,825,000)			(40,825,000)
Balance (in shares) at end of period at Dec. 31, 2016		136,334
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 1,678,326,000	$ 12,139,000	$ 1,832,138,000	$ (165,951,000)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	$ 166,626	$ 241,686	$ 200,261
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	57,513	49,534	57,245
Deferred income taxes	5,613	2,863	(1,242)
Stock-based compensation arrangements	27,797	25,748	30,788
Gain on sale of assets, net	0	(19,166)	(4,129)
Other, net	11,992	7,722	(791)
Increase (decrease) in cash, net of acquisitions, resulting from changes in:
Accounts receivable	(10,704)	28,258	(76,705)
Inventories	51,170	(74,816)	11,363
Prepaid expenses	(7,706)	1,858	5,754
Other assets	10,750	4,333	24,261
Accounts payable	(33,465)	38,660	15,040
Deferred revenue	2,928	3,503	93
Accrued payroll and other liabilities	(16,138)	(20,072)	17,240
Accrued income taxes	64,822	(9,319)	(8,501)
Pension & other long term liabilities	2,582	3,688	4,089
Net cash provided by operating activities	312,280	275,814	226,244
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property and equipment	(35,940)	(68,234)	(61,262)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(419,203)	(92,260)	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	7,331	25,649	12,000
Net cash used by investing activities	(447,812)	(134,845)	(49,262)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds of long-term debt, including current portion	524,560	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(367,435)	(15,000)	(15,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(66,057)	(123,193)	(139,238)
Dividends paid	(65,920)	(61,399)	(56,513)
Proceeds from shares issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans	11,966	24,835	47,581
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	1,480	8,243	11,161
Other financing activities	13	(24)	(18)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	38,607	(166,538)	(152,027)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(14,511)	(33,020)	(36,057)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(111,436)	(58,589)	(11,102)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	472,785	531,374	542,476
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 361,349	$ 472,785	$ 531,374

Nature of Business and Signific

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies FLIR Systems, Inc. (the "Company") is a world leader in sensor systems that enhance perception and awareness. The Company was founded in 1978 and has since become a premier designer, manufacturer, and marketer of thermal imaging and other sensing products and systems. The Company’s advanced sensors and integrated sensor systems enable the gathering and analysis of critical information through a wide variety of applications in commercial, industrial, and government markets worldwide. The Company’s goal is to both enable its customers to benefit from the valuable information produced by advanced sensing technologies and to deliver sustained superior financial performance for its shareholders. The Company creates value for its customers by providing advanced surveillance and tactical defense capabilities, improving personal and public safety and security, facilitating air, ground, and maritime navigation, enhancing enjoyment of the outdoors, providing infrastructure inefficiency information, conveying pre-emptive structural deficiency data, displaying process irregularities, and enabling commercial business opportunities through its continual support and development of new thermal imaging data and analytics applications. The Company’s business model meets the needs of a multitude of customers—it sells off-the-shelf products to a wide variety of markets in an efficient, timely, and affordable manner as well as offers a variety of system configurations to suit specific customer requirements. Centered on the design of products for low cost manufacturing and high volume distribution, the Company’s commercial operating model has been developed over time and provides it with a unique ability to adapt to market changes and meet its customers’ needs. Principles of consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated. Reclassification The Company made certain reclassifications to the prior years' notes to the financial statements to conform them to the presentation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated financial position, net earnings, shareholders' equity, or net cash flows for any of the periods presented. Foreign currency translation The assets and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries outside the United States are translated into United States dollars at current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average exchange rates. Resulting translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) within shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are reflected as other expense (income), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income as incurred. The cumulative translation adjustment included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) is a loss of $164.6 million and $123.7 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Transaction gains and losses included in other expense (income), net, are a net loss of $2.2 million , a net loss of $2.5 million , and a net gain of $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Revenue recognition Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, upon delivery of the product to the customer at a fixed or determinable price with a reasonable assurance of collection, passage of title and risk of loss to the customer as indicated by the contractual terms and fulfillment of all significant obligations. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Revenue recognition - (Continued) The Company designs, markets and sells products primarily as commercial, off-the-shelf products. Certain customers request different system configurations, based on standard options or accessories that the Company offers. In general, revenue arrangements do not involve acceptance provisions based upon customer specified acceptance criteria. In those limited circumstances when customer specified acceptance criteria exist, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance if the Company cannot demonstrate the system meets those specifications prior to shipment. For any contracts with multiple elements (i.e., training, installation, additional parts, etc.) the Company allocates revenue among the deliverables primarily based upon objective and reliable evidence of fair value of each element in the arrangement. If objective and reliable evidence of fair value of any element is not available, the Company uses an estimated selling price for purposes of allocating the total arrangement consideration among the elements. Credit is not extended to customers and revenue is not recognized until the Company has determined that the risk of uncollectability is minimal. The Company’s products are sold with warranty provisions that require it to remedy deficiencies in quality or performance of the Company’s products over a specified period of time, generally twelve to twenty-four months, at no cost to its customers. Warranty liabilities are established at the time that revenue is recognized at levels that represent the Company’s estimate of the costs that will be incurred to fulfill those warranty requirements. Provisions for estimated losses on sales or related receivables are recorded when identified. Revenue includes certain shipping and handling costs and is stated net of representative commissions and sales taxes. Service revenue is deferred and recognized over the contract period, as is the case for extended warranty contracts, or recognized as services are provided. Cost of goods sold Cost of goods sold includes materials, labor and overhead costs incurred in the manufacturing of products and services sold in the period as well as warranty costs. Material costs include raw materials, purchased components and sub-assemblies, outside processing and inbound freight costs. Labor and overhead costs consist of direct and indirect manufacturing costs, including wages and fringe benefits, operating supplies, depreciation, occupancy costs, and purchasing, receiving and inspection costs. Research and development Expenditures for research and development activities are expensed as incurred. Cash equivalents The Company considers short-term investments that are highly liquid, readily convertible into cash and have maturities of less than three months when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $8.3 million and $29.0 million , respectively, which were primarily investments in money market funds. Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts Accounts receivable are stated at the amounts the Company expects to collect. Credit limits are established through a process of reviewing the financial history and stability of each customer. The Company regularly evaluates the collectability of its trade receivables balances based on a combination of factors. If it is determined that a customer will be unable to fully meet its financial obligation, the Company records a specific allowance to reduce the related receivable to the amount expected to be recovered. In addition, the Company also records an allowance for all other customers based on certain other factors including the length of time the receivables are past due and historical collection experience with individual customers. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead. Cost is determined based on a currently adjusted standard cost basis that approximates actual manufacturing cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Inventories - (Continued) Inventory write-downs are recorded when conditions exist to indicate that inventories are likely to be in excess of anticipated demand or are obsolete based upon the Company’s assumptions about future demand for its products and market conditions. The Company regularly evaluates its ability to realize the value of inventories based on a combination of factors including the following: historical usage rates, forecasted sales or usage, product end of life dates, estimated current and future market values and new product introductions. When recorded, write-downs reduce the carrying value of the Company’s inventories to their net realizable value and create a new cost-basis in the inventories. Write-downs are reflected in cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Demonstration units The Company’s products which are being used as demonstration units are stated at the lower of cost or market and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Demonstration units are available for sale and the Company periodically evaluates them as to marketability and realizable values. The carrying value of demonstration units was $36.9 million and $36.8 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Property and equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using a straight-line methodology over their estimated useful lives. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Goodwill Goodwill is reviewed during the third quarter of each year, or more frequently if warranted, for impairment to determine if events or changes in business conditions indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . See Note 7, "Goodwill," for additional information. Intangible assets Intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line methodology over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are evaluated annually for impairment, or more frequently if required. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on intangible assets with indefinite lives during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . Impairment of long-lived assets Long-lived asset groups are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment exists when the carrying value is greater than the expected undiscounted future cash flows expected to be provided by the asset group. If impairment exists, the asset group is written down to its fair value. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . Advertising costs Advertising costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $19.3 million , $18.7 million and $12.6 million , respectively. Cost-basis investments The Company has private company investments, which consist of investments for which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, and are accounted for under the cost method. The investments are carried at cost and adjusted only when the Company believes that events have occurred that are likely to have a significant other-than-temporary adverse effect on the estimated fair value of the investments. If no such events have occurred, the fair value of the investments is not calculated as it is not required. The carrying value of those investments were $3.2 million and $5.2 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The investments are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Contingencies The Company is subject to the possibility of loss contingencies arising in the normal course of business. An estimated loss is accrued when the Company determines that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company regularly evaluates current available information to determine whether such accruals and disclosures should be adjusted. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share except that the weighted shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of stock options, if dilutive, and the assumed issuance of shares upon vesting of restricted stock awards. The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Numerator for earnings per share: Net earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share $ 166,626 $ 241,686 $ 200,261 Denominator for earnings per share: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 137,138 139,353 141,143 Assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares assumed reacquired under the treasury stock method 1,359 1,421 2,426 Diluted shares outstanding 138,497 140,774 143,569 The effect of stock-based compensation awards for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 that aggregated 233,000 , 354,000 and 171,000 shares, respectively, have been excluded for purposes of diluted earnings per share since the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Supplemental cash flow disclosure (in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cash paid for: Interest $ 15,815 $ 13,039 $ 13,410 Taxes $ 32,465 $ 68,534 $ 47,434 Stock-based compensation The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards and shares expected to be issued under the Company's employee stock purchase plan. Nonvested stock awards (referred to as restricted stock unit awards) are valued based on the fair market value of the Company's stock, discounted for expected dividends, on the date of grant. Restricted stock units containing performance-based vesting criteria are valued on the date of grant based on the fair value of the Company's stock, discounted for expected dividends and an estimate for illiquidity. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units is determined on the date of grant using a lattice-based option-pricing valuation model that incorporates a Monte-Carlo simulation and a discount for illiquidity. The estimated discount for illiquidity is relevant for share based awards that require the plan participant to hold the shares for a specified period of time after the award vests and is estimated using the protective put method. The Company recognizes the compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each award. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Stock-based compensation - (Continued) The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cost of goods sold $ 3,103 $ 3,001 $ 2,706 Research and development 4,815 4,694 5,218 Selling, general and administrative 19,879 18,053 22,864 Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes $ 27,797 $ 25,748 $ 30,788 Stock-based compensation expense capitalized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Capitalized in inventory $ 567 $ 691 $ 713 As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had approximately $41.0 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures, to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.90 years. The fair value of the stock-based awards granted in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was estimated with the following weighted-average assumptions: 2016 2015 2014 Stock option awards: Risk-free interest rate 0.9 % 0.2 % 1.0 % Expected dividend yield 1.6 % 1.4 % 1.2 % Expected term 4.3 years 4.1 years 4.4 years Expected volatility 25.6 % 26.6 % 28.7 % Performance-based restricted stock awards: Expected dividend yield 1.6 % — — Discount for illiquidity 9.9 % — — Market-based restricted stock awards: Risk-free interest rate 0.9 % 0.9 % — Expected dividend yield 1.6 % 1.4 % — Expected term 4.0 years 4.0 years — Expected volatility 25.8 % 27.5 % — Expected volatility of S&P 500 25.0 % 23.4 % — Discount for illiquidity 9.9 % 10.9 % — Employee stock purchase plan: Risk-free interest rate 0.5 % 0.4 % 0.3 % Expected dividend yield 1.5 % 1.5 % 1.2 % Expected term 6 months 6 months 6 months Expected volatility 27.0 % 21.5 % 23.9 % Discount for illiquidity 10.5 % — — Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Stock-based compensation - (Continued) The Company uses the United States Treasury (constant maturity) interest rate on the date of grant as the risk-free interest rate and uses historical volatility as the expected volatility. The Company’s determination of expected term is based on an analysis of historical and expected exercise patterns. In 2016, 2015 and 2014 , all stock options granted were time-based options. The Company uses an estimated forfeiture rate of 5 percent of the stock-compensation expense of non-executive employees based on an analysis of historical and expected forfeitures. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , the Company granted approximately 865,000 , 804,000 and 685,000 time-vested restricted stock units, respectively. The fair value of time-vested restricted stock units is fixed and determined on the date of grant based upon the Company's stock price on the date of grant. The weighted average fair values of the time-vested restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $29.48 , $26.30 and $32.80 per share, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company granted approximately 64,000 and 128,000 market-based restricted stock units. These units may be earned based upon the Company's total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return over a three year period of the component company at the 60th percentile level in the S&P 500 Index. Shares vested under the market-based restricted stock unit awards must be held by the participant for a period of one year from the vest date. The fair value of the market-based restricted stock units granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $ 22.89 and $ 25.55 per share, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016 , the Company granted approximately 62,000 performance-based restricted stock units. These units are earned based upon the Company's return on invested capital over a three year period. The fair value of the performance-based restricted units granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 was $ $26.41 per share. The total fair value of the restricted stock unit awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 in the table below of $28.6 million includes $ 1.5 million of grant date fair value associated with the market-based restricted stock units and $ 1.6 million of grant date fair value associated with the performance-based restricted stock units. The weighted-average fair value of stock-based compensation awards granted and vested, and the intrinsic value of options exercised during the period were (in thousands, except per share amounts): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Stock option awards: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 5.68 $ 5.60 $ 7.41 Total fair value of awards granted $ 4,716 $ 4,170 $ 4,947 Total fair value of awards vested $ 4,407 $ 4,290 $ 4,662 Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 6,170 $ 15,585 $ 35,663 Restricted stock unit awards: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 28.86 $ 29.12 $ 32.80 Total fair value of awards granted $ 28,603 $ 27,150 $ 22,484 Total fair value of awards vested $ 21,130 $ 24,458 $ 30,277 Employee stock purchase plan: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 6.33 $ 5.83 $ 7.38 Total fair value of shares estimated to be issued $ 923 $ 951 $ 1,144 The total amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $7.7 million , $20.8 million and $44.2 million , respectively, and the related tax benefits realized from the exercise of the stock options was $1.3 million , $3.9 million and $12.8 million , respectively. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Stock-based compensation - (Continued) The Company elected to adopt the “long-haul” method to calculate the historical pool of windfall tax benefits, which calculates on a grant by grant basis, the windfall or excess tax benefit that arose upon the exercise of each stock option, based on a comparison to the total tax deduction to the “as-if” deferred tax asset that would have been recorded had the Company followed the recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” Additionally, the Company elected to adopt the “tax-law ordering” method of measuring the timing in which tax deductions on stock option exercises should be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Concentration of risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited because a relatively large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company’s customer base, thus diversifying the trade credit risk. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company performs credit evaluations for all new customers and requires letters of credit, bank guarantees and advanced payments, if deemed necessary. A substantial portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from sales to United States and foreign government agencies (see Note 17, "Operating Segments and Related Information"). The Company also purchases certain key components from sole or limited source suppliers. The Company maintains cash deposits with major banks that from time to time may exceed federally insured limits. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of the institutions and instruments in which it invests, and adjusts its investment balances to mitigate the risk of principal loss. Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and judgments made by management of the Company include matters such as collectability of accounts receivable, realizability of inventories, recoverability of deferred tax assets, impairment tests of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, recognition and measurement of loss contingencies and adequacy of warranty accruals. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company believes that the estimates used are reasonable. Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) includes cumulative translation adjustments, fair value adjustments on cash flow hedges and changes in minimum liability for pension plans. Foreign currency translation adjustments included in comprehensive income were not tax affected as investments in international affiliates are deemed to be indefinite in duration. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) - (Continued) The following table sets forth the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016 : Pension Plans Items Cash Flow Hedge Items Foreign Currency Items Total Balance, December 31, 2015 $ (1,717 ) $ 323 $ (123,732 ) $ (125,126 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 78 (357 ) (40,911 ) (41,190 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax 24 341 — 365 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 102 (16 ) (40,911 ) (40,825 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ (1,615 ) $ 307 $ (164,643 ) $ (165,951 ) The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) for pension plan items have been recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses and amounts reclassified for cash flow hedge items have been recorded to interest expense in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Recent accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09"), which establishes new guidance under which companies will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also provides for additional disclosure requirements. The FASB has recently issued several amendments to the new standard, including clarification on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. The amendments include ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)-Principal versus Agent Considerations, which was issued in March 2016, and clarifies the implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09, and ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)-Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which was issued in April 2016, and amends the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 related to identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The new standard permits adoption either by using (i) a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures. While ASU 2014-09 was to be effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, on July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date to periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Accordingly, the Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. The Company currently plans to adopt using the modified retrospective approach. However, a final decision regarding the adoption method has not been finalized at this time. The final determination will depend on a number of factors, such as the significance of the impact of the new standard on its financial results, system readiness, and the ability to accumulate and analyze the information necessary to assess the impact on prior period financial statements, as necessary. The Company has made progress toward completing the evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the new standard on its financial reporting and disclosures. The Company has evaluated the impact of the standard on all of its revenue streams and most of its significant contracts. The Company expects to complete the contract evaluation and validate the impact of the accounting and disclosure changes on its business processes, controls and systems during the first half of 2017, design any changes to such business processes, controls and systems by the middle of 2017, and implement the changes over the remainder of 2017. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Recent accounting pronouncements - (Continued) In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" ("ASU 2015-11"). The amendments in this update require inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2015-11 on January 1, 2017, and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The amendments in this update require the identification of arrangements that should be accounted for as leases by lessees. In general, for lease arrangements exceeding a twelve month term, these arrangements must now be recognized as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet of the lessee. ASU 2016-02 requires the use of the modified retrospective method, which will require adjustment to all comparative periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and the Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019. The Company is assessing the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and expects that the primary impact upon adoption will be the recognition, on a discounted basis, of its minimum commitments under noncancelable operating leases on its consolidated balance sheets resulting in the recording of right of use assets and lease obligations. The Company's current minimum commitments under noncancelable operating leases are disclosed in Note 12. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” (“ASU 2016-09”). The amendments in this update identify areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, and the magnitude of the impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures is dependent upon the Company’s future grants of stock-based compensation, the Company’s future stock price in relation to the fair value of awards on grant date and the exercise behavior of the Company’s option holders. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). The amendments in this update provide clarification regarding how certain cash receipts and cash payment are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 in the third quarter of 2016, and our early adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued Account

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Factors used in determining the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are summarized into three broad categories in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements”: Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities as of the reporting date; Level 2 – other significant directly or indirectly observable inputs, including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and observable market prices for identical instruments that are traded in less active markets; and Level 3 – significant inputs that are generally less observable than objective sources, including our own assumptions in determining fair value. The factors or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The Company had $8.3 million and $29.0 million of cash equivalents at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, which were primarily investments in money market funds. The Company has categorized its cash equivalents as a Level 1 financial asset, measured at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets of identical assets. All cash equivalents are in instruments that are convertible to cash daily. The fair value of the Company’s forward currency contracts and interest rate swap contracts as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are disclosed in Note 3, "Derivative Financial Instruments," and based on Level 2 inputs. The fair value of the Company’s senior unsecured notes as described in Note 11, "Long-Term Debt," is approximately $426.3 million based upon Level 2 inputs at December 31, 2016 . The fair value of the Company's credit agreements and borrowings, also described in Note 11, approximates the carrying value due to the variable market rate used to calculate interest payments. The Company does not have any other significant financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts not formally designated as hedges to manage the consolidated exchange rate risk associated with the remeasurement of non-functional currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. Non-functional currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities consist primarily of cash, receivables, payables and intercompany loans. The Company manages exposure to counterparty non-performance credit risk by entering into foreign currency forward contracts only with major financial institutions that are expected to fully perform under the terms of such contracts. Changes in fair value of foreign currency forward contracts are recognized in income at the end of each reporting period based on the difference between the contract rate and the spot rate. The net amount of the gains and losses related to derivative instruments recorded in other expense (income), net for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were a loss of $5.3 million , $6.7 million and $8.3 million , respectively. Note 3. Derivative Financial Instruments - (Continued) Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk - (Continued) In general, these gains and losses are offset in the Consolidated Statements of Income by the reciprocal gains and losses from the underlying assets or liabilities which originally gave rise to the exposure. Notional amounts are used to measure the volume of foreign currency forward contracts and do not represent the Company's total exposure to foreign currency gains or losses. The table below presents the net notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward contracts by currency at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 European euro $ 156,352 $ 281 Swedish kroner 48,555 59,198 British pound sterling 33,862 10,203 Canadian dollar 15,645 10,799 Japanese yen 3,251 2,124 Brazilian real 2,747 6,440 Australian dollar 1,653 2,342 Other — 526 $ 262,065 $ 91,913 At December 31, 2016 , the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts, in general, had maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of the foreign exchange contracts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 2,369 $ 75 $ 767 $ 1,314 Interest Rate Swap Contracts The Company's outstanding debt at December 31, 2016 consists of fixed rate notes and a floating rate unsecured credit facility. The Company maintains its floating rate revolver for flexibility to fund working capital needs and for other uses of cash. Interest expense on the Company's floating rate debt is typically calculated based on a fixed spread over a reference rate, such as LIBOR (also known as the Eurocurrency rate). Therefore, fluctuations in market interest rates will cause interest expense increases or decreases on a given amount of floating rate debt. The Company is managing its interest rate risk related to floating rate debt through interest rate swaps in which the Company receives floating rate payments and makes fixed rate payments. The impact of the interest rate swaps is to fix the floating rate basis for the calculation of interest on the unsecured credit facility at the levels indicated in the table below. The effective interest rate paid is equal to the fixed rates shown below plus the credit spread then in effect. At December 31, 2016 , the effective interest rate on the borrowings made from the Company's revolving credit facility was 2.37 percent . As of December 31, 2016 , the following interest rate swaps were outstanding: Contract Date Notional Amount (in millions) Fixed Rate Effective Date Maturity Date March 15, 2013 $ 46.9 1.02 % April 5, 2013 March 31, 2019 March 29, 2013 $ 46.9 0.97 % April 5, 2013 March 31, 2019 Note 3. Derivative Financial Instruments - (Continued) Interest Rate Swap Contracts - (Continued) These interest rate swaps are designated and effective as cash flow hedges and are recorded as an asset or liability in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Fair value adjustments are recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), except that any gains and losses on ineffectiveness of the interest rate swaps would be recorded as an adjustment to other (income) expense, net. The net fair value carrying amount of the Company's interest rate swaps was $0.3 million , all of which has been recorded to other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016 .

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The following table summarizes the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and the activity for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning of year $ 6,853 $ 8,014 $ 7,674 Charges to costs and expenses 1,460 807 1,723 Write-offs of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries (1,661 ) (1,568 ) (961 ) Currency translation adjustments (195 ) (400 ) (422 ) Allowance for doubtful accounts, end of year $ 6,457 $ 6,853 $ 8,014

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories Inventories consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Raw material and subassemblies $ 200,640 $ 216,107 Work-in-progress 43,430 38,639 Finished goods 127,301 138,346 $ 371,371 $ 393,092

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are summarized as follows (in thousands): Estimated Useful Life December 31, 2016 2015 Land — $ 22,326 $ 22,972 Buildings 30 years 162,701 163,420 Machinery and equipment 3 to 7 years 258,023 241,310 Office equipment and other 3 to 10 years 103,798 98,308 546,848 526,010 Less accumulated depreciation (275,063 ) (253,381 ) $ 271,785 $ 272,629 Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $37.8 million , $32.5 million and $34.6 million , respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill The carrying value of goodwill and the activity for the two year period ending December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands): Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 553,335 Goodwill from acquisitions 57,992 Currency translation adjustments (15,011 ) Balance, December 31, 2015 596,316 Goodwill from acquisitions 220,795 Currency translation adjustments (15,705 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ 801,406 During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded $220.8 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase price allocation associated with its acquisitions of Armasight, Inc. ("Armasight"), Point Grey Research Inc. ("Point Grey"), Innovative Security Designs, LLC ("ISD") and DVTEL, Inc. ("DVTEL"). During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded $58.0 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase price allocation associated with DVTEL. The purchase price allocation for Point Grey is preliminary. See Note 18, "Business Acquisitions," for additional information. The Company reviews its goodwill for impairment annually during the third quarter, or more frequently, if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. During the third quarter of 2016 , the Company completed its annual review of goodwill and determined that no impairment of its recorded goodwill was necessary. As of December 31, 2016 , there had been no triggering events or indicators of impairment that would require an updated impairment review.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands): Weighted Average Estimated Useful Life December 31, 2016 2015 Product technology 11 years $ 98,895 $ 76,182 Customer relationships 11 years 87,013 69,272 Trademarks and trade name portfolios 14 years 8,160 7,540 Trade name portfolio not subject to amortization indefinite 37,494 37,673 In-process research and development n/a 4,700 2,250 Other 3 years 1,827 1,474 Acquired identifiable intangibles 238,089 194,391 Less accumulated amortization (73,535 ) (58,173 ) Net acquired identifiable intangibles 164,554 136,218 Patents 7 years 6,083 6,104 Less accumulated amortization (2,531 ) (1,671 ) Net patents 3,552 4,433 Acquired in-place leases and other 7 years 2,074 2,080 Less accumulated amortization (1,720 ) (1,429 ) Net acquired in-place leases and other 354 651 $ 168,460 $ 141,302 Note 8. Intangible Assets - (Continued) During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company acquired $47.4 million of identifiable intangible assets as part of the acquisitions of Armasight and Point Grey and during the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company acquired $27.4 million of identifiable intangible assets as part of the acquisition of DVTEL, as described in Note 18, "Business Acquisitions." The aggregate amortization expense recorded in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $18.4 million , $16.4 million and $21.1 million , respectively. For intangible assets recorded at December 31, 2016 , the estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the years ending December 31, 2017 through 2021 is approximately (in thousands): 2017 $ 23,594 2018 19,962 2019 19,041 2020 16,095 2021 14,411

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Agreements	Credit Agreement On February 8, 2011, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., U.S. Bank National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. and other Lenders. The Credit Agreement provides for a $200 million , five -year revolving line of credit. On April 5, 2013, the Credit Agreement was amended to extend the maturity of the revolving credit facility from April 8, 2016 to April 5, 2018 in addition to incorporating a $150 million term loan facility maturing April 5, 2019. On May 31, 2016, the Credit Agreement was further amended to increase the borrowing capacity to $500 million and to extend the maturity of the revolving credit facility from April 5, 2018 to May 31, 2021. The amendment also incorporated a revised schedule of fees and interest rate spreads. The Company has the right, subject to certain conditions, including approval of additional commitments by qualified lenders, to increase the revolving line of credit under the Credit Agreement by an additional $200 million until May 31, 2021. The Credit Agreement allows the Company and certain designated subsidiaries to borrow in United States dollars, European euros, Swedish kronor, British pound sterling, Japanese yen, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars and other agreed upon currencies. Interest rates under the Credit Agreement are determined based on the type of borrowing. Interest associated with borrowings can be based on the prime lending rate of Bank of America, N.A. or the published Eurocurrency rate (i.e. LIBOR). The borrowings have an applicable margin of 0.125 percent to 2.125 percent depending on the applicable base rate and our consolidated total leverage ratio. Including the respective spreads and ignoring the effects of hedging, the one-month LIBOR interest rate was 2.145 percent per annum and the prime lending rate was 4.125 percent per annum at December 31, 2016 . The Credit Agreement requires the Company to pay a commitment fee on the amount of unused revolving commitments at a rate, based on the Company’s total leverage ratio, which ranges from 0.150 percent to 0.300 percent of unused revolving commitments. At December 31, 2016 , the commitment fee rate was 0.175 percent per annum. The Credit Agreement contains two financial covenants that require the maintenance of a total leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio , with which the Company was in compliance at December 31, 2016 . The credit facilities available under the Credit Agreement are unsecured. On May 31, 2016, the Company drew down $105 million under the revolving credit facility and repaid the term loan facility in full. At December 31, 2016 , the Company had $97.5 million outstanding under the Credit Agreement and had $17.9 million of letters of credit outstanding, which reduces the total available revolving credit under the Credit Agreement.

Accrued Product Warranties

Accrued Product Warranties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Accrued Product Warranties	Accrued Product Warranties The Company generally provides a twelve to twenty-four month warranty on its products. A provision for the estimated future costs of warranty, based upon historical cost and product performance experience, is recorded when revenue is recognized. The following table summarizes the Company’s warranty liability and activity for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Accrued product warranties, beginning of year $ 16,514 $ 16,175 $ 17,732 Amounts paid for warranty services (19,592 ) (12,821 ) (10,267 ) Warranty provisions for products sold 22,928 13,074 9,880 Business acquisition 1,215 395 — Currency translation adjustments and other (220 ) (309 ) (1,170 ) Accrued product warranties, end of year $ 20,845 $ 16,514 $ 16,175 Current accrued product warranties, end of year $ 17,476 $ 13,406 $ 13,538 Long-term accrued product warranties, end of year $ 3,369 $ 3,108 $ 2,637

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Unsecured notes $ 425,000 $ 250,000 Term loan — 108,750 Credit Agreement 97,500 — Unamortized discounts and issuance costs of unsecured notes (5,579 ) (306 ) $ 516,921 $ 358,444 Current portion, long-term debt $ 15,000 $ 264,694 Long-term debt $ 501,921 $ 93,750 In August 2011, the Company issued $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.75 percent senior unsecured notes due September 1, 2016 (the “Notes”). The 2011 Notes were repaid on July 5, 2016 and the Company recorded a $1.3 million loss on the extinguishment of the 2011 Notes in Interest Expense. In June 2016, the Company issued $425 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.125 percent senior unsecured notes due June 15, 2021 (the “2016 Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2016 Notes were approximately $421.0 million , after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses, which are being amortized over a period of five years . Interest on the 2016 Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on December 15 and June 15. The proceeds from the 2016 Notes were used to repay the principal amount of the 2011 Notes outstanding in July 2016 and are being used for other general corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, business acquisitions and repurchases of the Company’s common stock. The Credit Agreement discussed in Note 9, "Credit Agreement," of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements above, consisted of a $150 million term loan facility and a revolving credit facility. On May 31, 2016, the Company repaid its term loan and drew down $105.0 million under the revolving credit facility. Interest on amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility accrues at the one-month LIBOR rate plus the applicable margin for the amount outstanding and is paid monthly in arrears. See Note 5, "Derivative Financial Instruments - Interest Rate Swap Contracts ," of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the effective interest rate on the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2016 . Note 11. Long-Term Debt - (Continued) On April 5, 2013, the Company borrowed $150 million under the term loan facility incorporated in the Credit Agreement. As discussed in Note 9, "Credit Agreement," of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statement above, on May 31, 2016, the Company repaid its term loan and drew down $105.0 million under the revolving credit facility. Interest on amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility accrues at the one-month LIBOR rate plus the applicable scheduled spread for the amount outstanding and is paid monthly in arrears. See Note 3, "Derivative Financial Instruments - Interest Rate Swap Contracts ," of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the effective interest rate on the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2016 .

Commitments

Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments	Commitments The Company leases some of its primary facilities under various operating leases that expire in 2017 through 2022 . The Company also leases certain operating machinery and equipment and office equipment under operating lease agreements. Total net rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $9.0 million , $12.2 million and $14.0 million , respectively. The future minimum obligations under all non-cancelable leases and other contractual obligations are as follows (in thousands): Net Operating Leases Other Contractual Obligations 2017 $ 9,265 $ 1,049 2018 5,660 766 2019 2,805 2020 1,539 — 2021 1,135 — Thereafter 808 — Total minimum payments $ 21,212 $ 1,815

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies FLIR Systems, Inc. and its subsidiary, FLIR Commercial Systems, Inc. (formerly known as Indigo Systems Corporation) (together, the “FLIR Parties”), were named in a lawsuit filed by Raytheon Company (“Raytheon”) on March 2, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Raytheon's complaint, as amended, asserted claims for tortious interference, patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, breach of contract and fraudulent concealment. The FLIR Parties filed an answer to the complaint on September 2, 2008, in which they denied all material allegations. On October 27, 2010, the FLIR Parties and Raytheon entered into a settlement agreement that resolved the patent infringement claims (the "Patent Claims") pursuant to which the FLIR Parties paid $3 million to Raytheon and entitles the FLIR Parties to certain license rights in the patents that were the subject of the Patent Claims. On October 28, 2014, a four-week trial began with respect to Raytheon's remaining claims of misappropriations of trade secrets and claims related to 31 alleged trade secrets. On November 24, 2014, a jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas rejected Raytheon’s claims and determined that 27 of the alleged trade secrets were not in fact trade secrets and that neither of the FLIR Parties infringed any of the trade secrets claimed and awarded Raytheon no damages. On March 31, 2016 the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a Final Judgment denying Raytheon’s claims and awarding FLIR court costs and denying each of Raytheon’s and FLIR’s Renewed Motions for Judgment as a Matter of Law and denying FLIR’s Amended Rule 54(d) Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs Under the Texas Theft Liability Act. Note 13. Contingencies - (Continued) On April 29, 2016, Raytheon filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit of the denial by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas of Raytheon’s Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, or in the Alternative, Motion for New Trial. On May 11, 2016, the FLIR Parties filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit of the Order of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Denying the FLIR Parties’ Amended Rule 54(d) Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs under the Texas Theft Liability Act, the Order Denying the FLIR Parties’ Renewed Motion For Judgment as a Matter Of Law, and the Final Judgment to the extent it denied the FLIR Parties Attorneys’ Fees and Costs under the Texas Theft Liability Act. The matter remains ongoing and is subject to appeal and the Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of potential loss or recovery, if any, which might result if the final determination of this matter is favorable or unfavorable, but an adverse ruling on the merits of the original claims against the FLIR Parties, while remote, could be material. On October 22, 2014, the Company initially contacted the United States Department of State Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance (“DDTC”), pursuant to International Traffic in Arms Regulation (“ITAR”) § 127.12(c), regarding the unauthorized export of technical data and defense services to dual and third country nationals in at least four facilities of the Company. On April 27, 2015, the Company submitted its initial report to DDTC regarding the details of the issues raised in the October 22, 2014 submission. DDTC subsequently notified the Company that it was considering administrative proceedings under Part 128 of ITAR and requested a tolling agreement, which the Company executed on June 16, 2015. On June 6, 2016, the Company executed a subsequent tolling agreement extending the tolling period for matters to be potentially included in an administrative proceeding for an additional 18 months until December 2017. DDTC continues its review and the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the time it may take to resolve the matter or the amount or range of potential loss, penalty or other government action, if any, that may be incurred in connection with this matter. However, an unfavorable outcome could result in fines and penalties, or loss, or modification of exporting privileges that could potentially be material to the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company in and following the period in which such an outcome becomes estimable or known. In March 2016, the Company learned of potential quality concerns with respect to as many as 312 Level III and Level IV SkyWatch Surveillance Towers sold by FLIR and companies acquired by FLIR from 2002 through 2014. During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company identified the cause of these quality issues and tested certain remedial solutions which may be required to repair the affected SkyWatch Towers. Testing of the remedial solution is ongoing. The Company has notified customers who purchased the affected SkyWatch Towers of the potential concerns and, as a precautionary measure, has also temporarily suspended production of all Level III and Level IV SkyWatch Towers pending the completion of its review and the implementation of any necessary remedial measures. While there still remains uncertainty related to estimating the costs associated with a potential remedy and number of units which may require such remedy, the Company currently estimates the range of potential loss to be between $2.5 million and $15 million . As no single amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the Company has recorded a liability of $2.5 million as of December 31, 2016. Factors underlying this estimated range of loss may change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from this estimate The Company is also subject to other legal and administrative proceedings, investigations, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business not specifically identified above. In these identified matters and others not specifically identified, the Company makes a provision for a liability with respect to a matter when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated for such matter. The Company believes it has recorded adequate provisions for any probable and estimable losses for matters in existence on the date hereof. While the outcome of each of these matters is currently not determinable, the Company does not expect that the ultimate resolution of any such matter will individually have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The costs to resolve all such matters may in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events and basis differences that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements and tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amount and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Pre-tax earnings by significant geographical locations are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 United States $ 124,500 $ 146,940 $ 113,967 Foreign 151,457 158,506 135,562 $ 275,957 $ 305,446 $ 249,529 The provisions for income taxes are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Current tax expense: Federal $ 36,771 $ 35,029 $ 30,224 State 5,785 6,074 5,511 Foreign 64,109 19,884 11,389 106,665 60,987 47,124 Deferred tax expense (benefit): Federal 1,404 10,752 1,207 State 267 1,052 (1,115 ) Foreign 995 (9,031 ) 2,052 2,666 2,773 2,144 Total income tax provision $ 109,331 $ 63,760 $ 49,268 Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) were classified on the balance sheet as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets, non-current 45,243 55,429 Deferred tax liabilities, non-current (2,331 ) (3,623 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 42,912 $ 51,806 Valuation allowance $ 2,924 $ 2,607 Note 14. Income Taxes—(Continued) The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Accrued liabilities and allowances $ 28,909 $ 27,170 Tax credit and loss carry-forwards 25,522 29,297 Stock-based compensation 17,204 15,628 Inventory basis differences 11,337 10,494 Deferred revenue 4,758 6,184 Other assets 917 1,373 Gross deferred tax assets 88,647 90,146 Valuation allowance (2,924 ) (2,607 ) Total deferred tax assets, net 85,723 87,539 Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets (33,564 ) (26,996 ) Property and equipment (7,212 ) (6,612 ) Other liabilities (2,035 ) (2,125 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (42,811 ) (35,733 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 42,912 $ 51,806 The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of tax determined by applying the applicable United States statutory federal income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following differences: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Statutory federal tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % (Decrease) increase in rates resulting from: Foreign rate differential (11.3 ) (7.8 ) (12.7 ) Foreign, federal and state income tax credits (1.2 ) (2.1 ) (1.7 ) State taxes 2.3 2.4 2.1 European Union state aid recovery 14.4 — — Valuation allowance release — (6.4 ) (0.1 ) Other 0.4 (0.2 ) (2.9 ) Effective tax rate 39.6 % 20.9 % 19.7 % The Company's foreign tax rate differential in 2015 and 2014 is primarily the result of a three-year agreement in Belgium, which expired on July 31, 2015, as well as the impact of lower statutory rates. The foreign tax rate differential in 2016 is mainly due to the impact of amortization and lower statutory rates. The European Union state aid recovery in 2016 relates to the European Commission’s decision regarding the three-year agreement in Belgium, discussed in detail below. At December 31, 2016 , the Company had United States tax net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $4.2 million which expire between 2019 and 2031 . In addition, the Company has various state net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $27.8 million which expire between 2017 and 2033 . The federal and state net operating losses were primarily generated by ICx Technologies, prior to its acquisition by the Company in 2010. Finally, the Company has various foreign net operating loss carry-forwards totaling approximately $74.3 million , a portion of which expire between 2018 and 2033 , and a portion of which have an indefinite carry-forward period. Note 14. Income Taxes—(Continued) The tax benefits described above are accounted for using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of the assets and liabilities. To the extent that management assesses the realization of such assets to not be more likely than not, a valuation allowance is required to be recorded. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company has determined that a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets of $2.9 million is required, primarily related to certain acquired net operating losses. A review of all available positive and negative evidence is considered, including past and future performance, the market environment in which the Company operates, utilization of tax attributes in the past, length of carry-back and carry-forward periods, and evaluation of potential tax planning strategies, when evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the net deferred tax assets. United States income taxes have not been provided on accumulated undistributed earnings of certain subsidiaries outside the United States, as the Company intends to reinvest the earnings in operations outside the United States indefinitely. As of December 31, 2016 , the cumulative amount of earnings upon which United States income taxes have not been provided is approximately $785 million . Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable. The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits, including amounts accrued for potential interest and penalties (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of year $ 14,967 $ 15,401 $ 29,533 Increases related to current year tax positions 1,150 1,446 1,457 Increases related to prior year tax positions 40,756 299 12 Decreases related to prior year tax positions (610 ) (724 ) (781 ) Lapse of statute of limitations (4,070 ) (1,455 ) (5,165 ) Settlements (342 ) — (9,655 ) Balance, end of year $ 51,851 $ 14,967 $ 15,401 The unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2016 relate to the United States, Belgium, United Kingdom and various other foreign jurisdictions, all of which would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. On January 11, 2016, the European Commission announced a decision concluding that certain rules under Belgian tax legislation are deemed to be incompatible with European Union regulations on state aid. As a result of this decision, the European Commission has directed the Belgian Government to recover past taxes from certain entities, reflective of disallowed state aid, which impacts one of the Company’s international subsidiaries. The Belgian Government announced they have appealed this decision and filed action for an annulment in the General Court of the European Union, and in July 2016 the Company filed a separate appeal with the General Court of the European Union. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” the Company recorded discrete tax expense of $39.6 million during 2016 related to this matter and on January 10, 2017, received tax assessments from the Belgium government for a similar amount, which the Company has classified as current taxes payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016. The Company has filed a complaint against the Belgian tax assessments, and the result of this complaint, the appeal with the General Court of the European Union, new information received from the Belgian Government, or other future events may cause the income tax provision associated with the decision to be entirely or partially reversed. The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had $2.6 million of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits that are recorded as current and non-current accrued income taxes on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Note 14. Income Taxes—(Continued) The Company files United States federal, state and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The Company currently has the following tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions: Tax Years: United States Federal 2013 - 2015 State of California 2013 - 2015 State of Massachusetts 2012 - 2015 State of Oregon 2013 - 2015 Sweden 2012 - 2015 United Kingdom 2012 - 2015 Belgium 2011 - 2015

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation Stock Incentive Plans The Company has a stock-based compensation program that provides equity incentives for employees, consultants and directors. This program includes incentive and non-statutory stock options and nonvested stock awards (referred to as restricted stock unit awards) granted under two plans: the FLIR Systems, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”) and the FLIR Systems, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The Company has discontinued issuing awards out of the 2002 Plan but previously granted awards under the 2002 Plan remain outstanding. The Company has granted time-based options, time-based restricted stock unit awards, market-based restricted stock unit awards and performance-based restricted stock unit awards. Options generally expire ten years from the grant date. Time-based options and restricted stock unit awards generally vest over a three year period. Market-based restricted stock unit awards may be earned based upon the Company's total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return of the component company at the 60th percentile level in the S&P 500 Index over a three year period. Performance-based restricted stock unit awards may be earned based upon the Company's return on invested capital over a two year period. Shares vested under the performance-based restricted stock unit awards and the market-based restricted stock unit awards must be held by the participant for a period of one year from the vest date. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises and the distribution of vested restricted stock units are new shares. The Company also has stock options and restricted stock unit awards issued as replacement awards in connection with the acquisition of ICx Technologies in 2010. Information with respect to stock option activity for 2016 is as follows: Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2015 4,748 $ 27.49 5.5 Granted 831 30.75 Exercised (456 ) 17.65 Forfeited (14 ) 31.91 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 5,109 $ 28.88 5.6 $ 37,324 Exercisable at December 31, 2016 3,849 $ 28.16 4.6 $ 30,916 Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2016 5,046 $ 28.86 5.6 $ 37,004 Note 15. Stock-based Compensation - (Continued) Stock Incentive Plans - (Continued) Information with respect to restricted stock unit activity for 2016 is as follows: Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2015 1,706 $ 28.89 Granted 992 28.97 Vested and distributed (691 ) 30.46 Forfeited (77 ) 30.51 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 1,930 $ 30.92 As of December 31, 2016 , there were 11,906,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the stock incentive plans. Employee Stock Purchase Plan The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) which allows employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at 85 percent of the fair market value at the lower of either the date of enrollment or the purchase date. The ESPP provides for six-month offerings commencing on May 1 and November 1 of each year with purchases on April 30 and October 31 of each year. Shares purchased under the ESPP must be held by employees for a period of at least 18 months after the date of purchase. The Company reserved 5,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the ESPP. There were 174,000 shares issued at the average purchase price of $24.61 during 2016 and 3,136,000 shares remained available under the ESPP at December 31, 2016 for future issuance. Shares issued for ESPP purchases are new shares.

Other Employee Benefit Plans

Other Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Employee Benefit Plan	Other Employee Benefit Plans Employee 401(k) Plans The Company has a 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) to provide for voluntary salary deferral contributions on a pre-tax basis for employees within the United States in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Plan allows for contributions by the Company. The Company made and expensed matching contributions of $8.1 million , $7.5 million and $6.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Pension Plans The Company previously offered most of the employees outside the United States participation in a defined benefit pension plan that has been curtailed. In addition, the Company provides a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) for certain officers of the Company based in the United States. The Company has recorded changes to the minimum pension liability to accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) and the estimated benefit to be paid in 2017 has been reported in other current liabilities. The remaining obligations are recorded in pension and other long-term liabilities. The measurement date used for the pension plans is December 31. Note 16. Other Employee Benefit Plans - (Continued) Pension Plans - (Continued) Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , net of tax, are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Net earnings (loss) $ 78 $ 500 $ (372 ) Prior service cost 24 161 160 $ 102 $ 661 $ (212 ) Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Company’s pension plans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Net loss $ (1,630 ) $ (1,708 ) Prior service cost 15 (9 ) $ (1,615 ) $ (1,717 ) A summary of the components of the net periodic pension expense for the benefit obligation and fund assets of the plans is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at January 1 $ 11,426 $ 11,813 Service costs — 156 Interest costs 397 353 Actuarial loss (gain) 177 (199 ) Benefits paid (312 ) (312 ) Foreign currency changes (269 ) (385 ) Benefit obligation at December 31 $ 11,419 $ 11,426 Fair value of plan assets at December 31 $ — $ — Unfunded status at December 31 $ 11,419 $ 11,426 Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Current liabilities $ 292 $ 307 Non-current liabilities $ 11,127 $ 11,119 Note 16. Other Employee Benefit Plans - (Continued) Pension Plans - (Continued) The weighted average assumptions used are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Net periodic benefit cost: SERP: Discount rate 4.00 % 3.75 % Rate of increase in compensation levels 3.00 % 3.00 % Defined benefit pension plan for employees outside the United States: Discount rate 2.00 % 2.60 % Funded status and projected benefit obligation: SERP: Discount rate 4.00 % 4.00 % Rate of increase in compensation levels 3.00 % 3.00 % Defined benefit pension plan for employees outside the United States: Discount rate 2.00 % 2.60 % The discount rates used are based upon publicly listed indices for instruments with average maturities estimated to be consistent with the respective obligations. A pension liability of $2.6 million and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, has been recognized for the pension plans representing the excess of the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation over the accrued pension costs. Benefits expected to be paid under the plans are approximately (in thousands): 2017 $ 292 2018 271 2019 267 2020 253 2021 9,113 Five years thereafter 1,048 $ 11,244 Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Service costs $ — $ 156 $ 166 Interest costs 397 353 444 Net amortization and deferral 260 513 279 Settlement loss — — 163 Net periodic pension costs $ 657 $ 1,022 $ 1,052 Components of net periodic benefit cost expected to be recognized from amounts in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) during the year ending December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, 2017 Net loss $ 155 Net prior service cost — $ 155

Operating Segments and Related

Operating Segments and Related Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments and Related Information	Operating Segments and Related Information Operating Segments The Company has six reportable operating segments as follows: Surveillance The Surveillance segment develops and manufactures enhanced imaging and recognition solutions for a wide variety of military, law enforcement, public safety, and other government customers around the world for the protection of borders, troops, and public welfare. Offerings include airborne, land, maritime, and man-portable multi-spectrum imaging systems, radars, lasers, imaging components, integrated multi-sensor system platforms, and services related to these systems. Instruments The Instruments segment develops and manufactures devices that image, measure, and assess thermal energy, gases, and other environmental elements for industrial, commercial, and scientific applications. Products include thermal imaging cameras, gas detection cameras, firefighting cameras, process automation cameras, and environmental test and measurement devices. Security The Security segment develops and manufactures cameras and video recording systems for use in commercial, critical infrastructure, and home security applications. Products include thermal and visible-spectrum cameras, digital and networked video recorders, and related software and accessories that enable the efficient and effective safeguarding of assets at all hours of the day and through adverse weather conditions. OEM & Emerging Markets The OEM & Emerging Markets segment develops and manufactures thermal and visible-spectrum imaging camera cores and components that are utilized by third parties to create thermal, industrial, and other types of imaging systems. The segment also develops and manufactures intelligent traffic monitoring and signal control systems as well as thermal imaging solutions for use by consumers in the smartphone and mobile devices markets. Maritime The Maritime segment develops and manufactures electronics and imaging instruments for the recreational and commercial maritime market. The segment provides a full suite of networked electronic systems including multi-function helm displays, navigational instruments, autopilots, radars, sonar systems, thermal and visible imaging systems, and communications equipment for boats of all sizes. Detection The Detection segment develops and manufactures sensor instruments and integrated platform solutions for the detection, identification, and suppression of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives threats for military force protection, homeland security, and commercial applications. The accounting policies of each of the segments are the same. The Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer evaluates the performance of each segment based upon its revenue and earnings from operations. On a consolidated basis, these amounts represent revenue and earnings from operations as represented in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Other consists of corporate expenses and certain other operating expenses not allocated to the operating segments for management reporting purposes. Intersegment revenues are recorded at cost and are eliminated in consolidation. Accounts receivable and inventories for operating segments are regularly reviewed by management and are reported below as segment assets. All remaining assets, liabilities, capital expenditures and depreciation are managed on a Company-wide basis. Note 17. Operating Segments and Related Information—(Continued) Operating Segments - (Continued) Operating segment information is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Revenue—External Customers: Surveillance $ 532,476 $ 503,045 $ 519,982 Instruments 336,141 347,476 354,124 Security 240,010 226,575 179,090 OEM & Emerging Markets 243,678 186,722 199,096 Maritime 185,726 177,948 192,636 Detection 124,136 115,301 85,726 $ 1,662,167 $ 1,557,067 $ 1,530,654 Revenue—Intersegments: Surveillance $ 18,835 $ 10,761 $ 7,209 Instruments 4,343 9,951 1,793 Security 13,838 12,033 11,017 OEM & Emerging Markets 33,442 33,059 21,856 Maritime 3,450 2,108 2,936 Detection 31 — 95 Eliminations (73,939 ) (67,912 ) (44,906 ) $ — $ — $ — Earnings (loss) from operations: Surveillance $ 144,906 $ 145,637 $ 127,222 Instruments 96,691 112,353 98,954 Security 10,172 28,140 24,871 OEM & Emerging Markets 59,686 41,065 50,249 Maritime 15,428 13,611 24,494 Detection 33,847 26,904 10,958 Other (65,012 ) (61,946 ) (77,504 ) $ 295,718 $ 305,764 $ 259,244 December 31, 2016 2015 Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories): Surveillance $ 283,324 $ 286,058 Instruments 114,681 130,135 Security 93,174 105,509 OEM & Emerging Markets 144,862 93,925 Maritime 61,494 73,506 Detection 25,856 30,057 $ 723,391 $ 719,190 Note 17. Operating Segments and Related Information—(Continued) Operating Segments - (Continued) December 31, 2016 2015 Segment goodwill: Surveillance $ 152,383 $ 120,145 Instruments 147,595 149,582 Security 102,983 101,955 OEM & Emerging Markets 252,647 69,973 Maritime 97,860 106,549 Detection 47,938 48,112 $ 801,406 $ 596,316 Revenue and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area Information related to revenue by significant geographical location, determined by the end customer, is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 (as reclassified) 2014 United States $ 903,582 $ 830,485 $ 783,685 Europe 338,805 338,886 350,118 Asia 195,913 175,616 164,633 Middle East/Africa 130,890 125,848 138,186 Canada/Latin America 92,977 86,232 94,032 $ 1,662,167 $ 1,557,067 $ 1,530,654 Long-lived assets are comprised of net property and equipment, net identifiable intangible assets, goodwill and other long-term assets. Long-lived assets by significant geographic locations are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 United States $ 676,007 $ 666,759 Europe 673,767 383,501 Other foreign 60,032 13,197 $ 1,409,806 $ 1,063,457 Major Customers Revenue derived from major customers is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 (as reclassified) 2014 United States government $ 416,341 $ 321,420 $ 310,431

Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisition	Business Acquisitions DVTEL Inc. On November 30, 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of DVTEL Inc. ("DVTEL"), a provider of software and hardware technologies for advanced video surveillance, for approximately $97.5 million in cash. At December 31, 2015, the Company initially reported net tangible assets of $12.1 million in the respective balance sheet accounts, $27.4 million of identified intangible assets, and $58.0 million of goodwill, which has been recorded within the Company's Security segment. During the fourth quarter of 2016 the Company finalized the purchase price allocation, resulting in a $1.3 million decrease to tangible assets, $1.2 million decrease to net deferred taxes, and a corresponding $2.5 million increase in goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price for DVETEL is as follows (in thousands): Cash acquired $ 5,015 Other tangible assets and liabilities, net 4,025 Net deferred taxes 582 Identifiable intangible assets 27,380 Goodwill 60,494 Total purchase price $ 97,496 The Company made an election under Section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which resulted in tax-deductible goodwill related to the acquisition of DVTEL. The Company estimates that the tax-deductible goodwill and intangibles resulting from the election will be approximately $24.8 million , to be amortized for United States tax purposes over a 15 -year period. The value of tax-deductible goodwill and intangibles differs from the amounts listed in the purchase price allocation above as the impact of the elections made under Section 338 only affects United States income taxes for the goodwill and intangibles that are owned by the Company's United States subsidiaries. In connection with the allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company identified certain intangible assets. The following table presents the acquired intangible assets, their estimated fair values, and estimated useful lives (in thousands, except years): Estimated Amount Developed technology 7.5 years $ 21,500 Customer relationships 10.0 years 3,800 In-process research and development n/a 1,700 Other 1.0 year 380 $ 27,380 Acquisition-date identifiable intangible assets primarily consist of intangibles derived from developed technology, customer relationships, and in-process research and development. Developed technology represents completed software related to internal and external software platforms. In-process research and development represents the value assigned to acquired research and development projects that, as of the acquisition date, had not established technological feasibility and had no alternative future use. The in-process research and development intangible assets are capitalized and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets and are subject to impairment testing until completion or abandonment of the projects. Upon successful completion of each project and launch of the product, we will make a separate determination of useful life of the in-process research and development intangible assets and the related amortization will be recorded as an expense over the estimated useful life of the specific projects. An average 10 -year useful life for customer relationships has been estimated based on the projected economic benefits associated with this asset. The average 10 -year estimated useful life represents the approximate point in the projection period in which a majority of the asset’s cash flows are expected to be realized based on assumed attrition rates. The developed technology, customer relationships, and in-process research and development were valued using the multi-period excess earnings method. Note 18. Business Acquisitions - (Continued) Innovative Security Designs, LLC On June 6, 2016, the Company acquired the assets of Innovative Security Designs, LLC ("ISD"), a developer of embedded firmware and advanced camera surveillance platforms, for approximately $1.8 million in cash. At June 30, 2016, the Company initially reported the $1.6 million excess of the purchase price over the preliminary net tangible assets acquired in Other assets. The Company has since performed a purchase price allocation which resulted in an allocation of $1.6 million of goodwill in conjunction with the ISD acquisition, which has been recorded in the Company’s Security segment. Armasight, Inc. On June 28, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Armasight, Inc. ("Armasight"), a developer of sporting and military optics products, for approximately $43.5 million in cash. At June 30, 2016, the Company initially reported the $36.0 million excess of the purchase price over the preliminary net tangible assets acquired had been recorded in Other assets. During the third quarter of 2016 the Company performed a preliminary purchase price allocation which resulted in an allocation of $7.6 million to identifiable intangible assets and $31.1 million to goodwill which has been recorded in the Company's Surveillance segment. During the fourth quarter of 2016 the Company finalized the purchase price allocation, resulting in the recording of a $0.9 million deferred tax asset, $2.8 million deferred tax liability, and a corresponding $1.9 million increase in goodwill. The $33.0 million of goodwill represents future economic benefits expected to arise from synergies from combining operations and the ability of Armasight to provide the Company domain knowledge and distribution channels in adjacent markets. The allocation of the purchase price for Armasight is as follows (in thousands): Cash acquired $ 2,804 Other tangible assets and liabilities, net 1,925 Net deferred taxes (1,855 ) Identifiable intangible assets 7,600 Goodwill 32,994 Total purchase price $ 43,468 In connection with the allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company identified certain intangible assets. The following table presents the acquired intangible assets, their estimated fair values, and estimated useful lives (in thousands, except years): Estimated Amount Customer relationships 4.0 years 5,200 Trade name 3.0 years 1,000 Trade Secrets 6.0 years 1,400 $ 7,600 Acquisition-date identifiable intangible assets primarily consist of intangibles derived from customer relationships, trade names and trademarks, and trade secrets. Customer relationships represents Armasight's ability to consistently offer compelling products that appeal to consumer preferences which is the critical factor impacting the decisions of retailers to carry Armasight products. The trade name represents the value of the Armasight name within the outdoor and tactical weapons sight industry. The trade secrets represents the knowledge that is institutionalized within the employees and former shareholders of Armasight and their relationships with key suppliers. Customer relationships were valued using the income approach and the lost income and multi-period excess earnings method. The trade name and trade secrets were valued using the income approach and the relief from royalty method. Note 18. Business Acquisitions - (Continued) Point Grey Research, Inc. On November 4, 2016, the Company closed a transaction to acquire the assets of Point Grey Research Inc. (“Point Grey”), a global leader in the development of advanced visible imaging cameras and solutions that are used in industrial automation systems, medical diagnostic equipment, people counting systems, intelligent traffic systems, military and defense products, and advanced mapping systems, for approximately $259.2 million in cash, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The Company has performed a preliminary purchase price allocation which resulted in an allocation of $39.8 million to identifiable intangible assets and 183.7 million to goodwill which has been recorded in the Company’s OEM & Emerging Markets segment. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price for Point Grey is as follows (in thousands): Cash acquired $ 2,994 Other tangible assets and liabilities, net 35,127 Net deferred taxes (2,438 ) Identifiable intangible assets 39,800 Goodwill 183,678 Total purchase price $ 259,161 The allocation of the purchase price related to this acquisition is preliminary and is based on management’s judgments after evaluating several factors, including preliminary valuation assessments of tangible and intangible assets, and preliminary estimates of the fair value of liabilities assumed. The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to the valuation of the identifiable intangible assets, property and equipment, and certain other tangible assets and liabilities. The preliminary goodwill of 183.7 million represents future economic benefits expected to arise from synergies from combining operations and the ability of Point Grey to provide the Company domain knowledge and distribution channels in adjacent markets. In connection with the preliminary allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company identified certain intangible assets. The following table presents the acquired intangible assets, their preliminary estimated fair values, and preliminary estimated useful lives (in thousands, except years): Estimated Amount Developed technology 10.0 years $ 23,100 Customer relationships 7.0 years 13,200 Backlog 1.0 year 2,300 Non-Competition Agreements 5.0 years 1,000 Other n/a 200 $ 39,800 Acquisition-date identifiable intangible assets primarily consist of intangibles derived from developed technology, customer relationships, backlog, and non-competition agreements. Developed technology represents the economic advantage of having certain technologies in place that lowers manufacturing and operating costs and drives higher margins. Customer relationships represents the relationships Point Grey has established in the OEM and people counting markets as of the date of the acquisition. Backlog represents “pre-sold” business at the date of acquisition, which provides positive earning streams post acquisition that exceed what is required to provide a return on the other assets employed. Non-competition agreements represent the economic benefit of having agreements with certain current and former employees and shareholders of Point Grey that restrict their ability to compete directly with the Company. The developed technology was valued using the income approach and relief from royalty method. Customer relationships and backlog were valued using the income approach and multi-period excess earnings method. Non-competition agreements were valued using the income approach and the with-and-without method. Note 18. Business Acquisitions - (Continued) Prox Dynamics, AS On November 30, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Prox Dynamics AS. (“Prox Dynamics”), a leading developer and manufacturer of nano-class UAS for military and para-military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications, for approximately $134.1 million in cash, subject to customary post-close adjustments. Tangible assets acquired, including accounts receivable and inventories, are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016 and are recorded in the Company’s Surveillance segment. The allocation of the purchase price to identifiable intangible assets and goodwill is subject to the final determination on the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Accordingly, the excess purchase price of approximately $122.8 million has been recorded in Other assets as of December 31, 2016. The acquisitions of DVTEL, ISD, Armasight, Point Grey, and Prox Dynamics are not significant as defined in Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor are they significant compared to the Company's overall results of operations. Consequently, no pro forma financial information is provided.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders’ Equity On February 5, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 25.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. This authorization expired on February 6, 2015. On February 5, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 15.0 million shares of common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. This authorization expired on February 5, 2017. On February 8, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 15.0 million shares of common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. This authorization expires on February 8, 2019. Under these authorizations, the Company has repurchased 2,132,000 shares for a total of $66.1 million , 4,169,000 shares for a total of $123.2 million and 4,243,000 shares for a total of $139.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Company paid dividends quarterly at the rate of $0.12 per share for a total of $65.9 million . During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company paid dividends quarterly at the rate of $0.11 per share for a total of $61.4 million . During the year ended December 31, 2014 , the Company paid dividends quarterly at the rate of $0.10 per share for a total of $56.5 million .

Restructuring Costs

Restructuring Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Costs	Restructuring Costs During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded net pre-tax restructuring expenses totaling $1.4 million , $1.4 million and $17.0 million , respectively. In 2013, the Company initiated a realignment plan that included closing six not-to-scale sites in the United States and Europe and a transfer of those operations to the Company's larger facilities. The Company also consolidated its optics and laser manufacturing businesses to better realize the benefits of vertical integration in these areas. The Company recorded the restructuring expenses in the segments as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Surveillance $ 107 $ 226 $ 5,232 Instruments 492 1,170 10,998 Security — — — OEM & Emerging 65 (22 ) 170 Maritime — — (90 ) Detection — (13 ) 544 Other — — 120 $ 664 $ 1,361 $ 16,974 During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company also incurred other immaterial restructuring charges representing severance costs associated with cost reduction initiatives executed in the second half of the year that were not related to the realignment plan initiated in 2013. Note 20. Restructuring Costs - (Continued) Restructuring expenses were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cost of goods sold $ — $ — $ 591 Restructuring expenses 664 1,361 16,383 $ 664 $ 1,361 $ 16,974 The following table summarizes the activity by cost type (in thousands): Severance Inventory Facilities Exit, Lease Terminations & Other Total Balance, December 31, 2013 $ 18,191 $ — $ 3,670 $ 21,861 2014 restructuring costs 11,860 590 4,524 16,974 Utilization (19,110 ) (590 ) (6,709 ) (26,409 ) Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 10,941 $ — $ 1,485 $ 12,426 2015 restructuring expenses 924 — 437 1,361 Utilization (8,409 ) — (1,601 ) (10,010 ) Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 3,456 $ — $ 321 $ 3,777 2016 restructuring expenses 642 — 22 664 Utilization (2,257 ) — (343 ) (2,600 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ 1,841 $ — $ — $ 1,841

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On February 8, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 15.0 million shares of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The authorization will expire on February 8, 2019. On February 9, 2017 , the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share on its common stock, payable on March 10, 2017 , to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 24, 2017 . The total cash payment of this dividend will be approximately $20.5 million .

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) FLIR SYSTEMS, INC. (In thousands, except per share data) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2016 Revenue $ 379,472 $ 402,729 $ 405,228 $ 474,738 Gross profit 177,690 183,322 191,376 214,733 Net earnings (1)(2) 1,125 45,368 58,633 61,500 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.01 $ 0.33 $ 0.43 $ 0.45 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.01 $ 0.33 $ 0.43 $ 0.45 2015 Revenue $ 344,517 $ 392,975 $ 381,928 $ 437,647 Gross profit 175,897 189,615 180,739 207,310 Net earnings (3) 47,910 50,500 73,072 70,204 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.52 $ 0.51 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.52 $ 0.51 _______________ (1) 2016 Net earnings includes restructuring expenses of $0.2 million reported in the first quarter, $0.1 million reported in the second quarter, $0.9 million reported in the third quarter and $0.2 million reported in the fourth quarter. (2) Net earnings for the first quarter of 2016 includes as discrete tax charge for certain tax legislation in Belgium of $39.6 million. (3) 2015 Net earnings includes restructuring expenses of $0.3 million reported in the first quarter, $0.5 million reported in the second quarter, $0.3 million reported in the third quarter and $0.3 million reported in the fourth quarter. The sum of the quarterly earnings per share does not always equal the annual earnings per share as a result of the computation of quarterly versus annual average shares outstanding.

Nature of Business and Signif31

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principals of consolidation	Principles of consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated.
Reclassification	Reclassification The Company made certain reclassifications to the prior years' notes to the financial statements to conform them to the presentation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016. These reclassifications had no effect on consolidated financial position, net earnings, shareholders' equity, or net cash flows for any of the periods presented.
Foreign currency translation	Foreign currency translation The assets and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries outside the United States are translated into United States dollars at current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average exchange rates. Resulting translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) within shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are reflected as other expense (income), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income as incurred.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, upon delivery of the product to the customer at a fixed or determinable price with a reasonable assurance of collection, passage of title and risk of loss to the customer as indicated by the contractual terms and fulfillment of all significant obligations. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Revenue recognition - (Continued) The Company designs, markets and sells products primarily as commercial, off-the-shelf products. Certain customers request different system configurations, based on standard options or accessories that the Company offers. In general, revenue arrangements do not involve acceptance provisions based upon customer specified acceptance criteria. In those limited circumstances when customer specified acceptance criteria exist, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance if the Company cannot demonstrate the system meets those specifications prior to shipment. For any contracts with multiple elements (i.e., training, installation, additional parts, etc.) the Company allocates revenue among the deliverables primarily based upon objective and reliable evidence of fair value of each element in the arrangement. If objective and reliable evidence of fair value of any element is not available, the Company uses an estimated selling price for purposes of allocating the total arrangement consideration among the elements. Credit is not extended to customers and revenue is not recognized until the Company has determined that the risk of uncollectability is minimal. The Company’s products are sold with warranty provisions that require it to remedy deficiencies in quality or performance of the Company’s products over a specified period of time, generally twelve to twenty-four months, at no cost to its customers. Warranty liabilities are established at the time that revenue is recognized at levels that represent the Company’s estimate of the costs that will be incurred to fulfill those warranty requirements. Provisions for estimated losses on sales or related receivables are recorded when identified. Revenue includes certain shipping and handling costs and is stated net of representative commissions and sales taxes. Service revenue is deferred and recognized over the contract period, as is the case for extended warranty contracts, or recognized as services are provided.
Cost of goods sold	Cost of goods sold Cost of goods sold includes materials, labor and overhead costs incurred in the manufacturing of products and services sold in the period as well as warranty costs. Material costs include raw materials, purchased components and sub-assemblies, outside processing and inbound freight costs. Labor and overhead costs consist of direct and indirect manufacturing costs, including wages and fringe benefits, operating supplies, depreciation, occupancy costs, and purchasing, receiving and inspection costs.
Research and development	Research and development Expenditures for research and development activities are expensed as incurred.
Cash equivalents	Cash equivalents The Company considers short-term investments that are highly liquid, readily convertible into cash and have maturities of less than three months when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts Accounts receivable are stated at the amounts the Company expects to collect. Credit limits are established through a process of reviewing the financial history and stability of each customer. The Company regularly evaluates the collectability of its trade receivables balances based on a combination of factors. If it is determined that a customer will be unable to fully meet its financial obligation, the Company records a specific allowance to reduce the related receivable to the amount expected to be recovered. In addition, the Company also records an allowance for all other customers based on certain other factors including the length of time the receivables are past due and historical collection experience with individual customers.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead. Cost is determined based on a currently adjusted standard cost basis that approximates actual manufacturing cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Inventories - (Continued) Inventory write-downs are recorded when conditions exist to indicate that inventories are likely to be in excess of anticipated demand or are obsolete based upon the Company’s assumptions about future demand for its products and market conditions. The Company regularly evaluates its ability to realize the value of inventories based on a combination of factors including the following: historical usage rates, forecasted sales or usage, product end of life dates, estimated current and future market values and new product introductions. When recorded, write-downs reduce the carrying value of the Company’s inventories to their net realizable value and create a new cost-basis in the inventories. Write-downs are reflected in cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Demonstration Units	Demonstration units The Company’s products which are being used as demonstration units are stated at the lower of cost or market and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Demonstration units are available for sale and the Company periodically evaluates them as to marketability and realizable values.
Property and equipment	Property and equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using a straight-line methodology over their estimated useful lives. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill is reviewed during the third quarter of each year, or more frequently if warranted, for impairment to determine if events or changes in business conditions indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . See Note 7, "Goodwill," for additional information.
Intangible assets	Intangible assets Intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line methodology over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are evaluated annually for impairment, or more frequently if required. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on intangible assets with indefinite lives during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 .
Impairment of long-lived assets	Impairment of long-lived assets Long-lived asset groups are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment exists when the carrying value is greater than the expected undiscounted future cash flows expected to be provided by the asset group. If impairment exists, the asset group is written down to its fair value. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 .
Advertising costs	Advertising costs Advertising costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, are expensed as incurred.
Cost-basis investments	The Company has private company investments, which consist of investments for which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, and are accounted for under the cost method. The investments are carried at cost and adjusted only when the Company believes that events have occurred that are likely to have a significant other-than-temporary adverse effect on the estimated fair value of the investments. If no such events have occurred, the fair value of the investments is not calculated as it is not required.
Contingencies	Contingencies The Company is subject to the possibility of loss contingencies arising in the normal course of business. An estimated loss is accrued when the Company determines that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company regularly evaluates current available information to determine whether such accruals and disclosures should be adjusted.
Earnings per share	Earnings per share Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share except that the weighted shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of stock options, if dilutive, and the assumed issuance of shares upon vesting of restricted stock awards.
Stock-based compensation	Stock-based compensation The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards and shares expected to be issued under the Company's employee stock purchase plan. Nonvested stock awards (referred to as restricted stock unit awards) are valued based on the fair market value of the Company's stock, discounted for expected dividends, on the date of grant. Restricted stock units containing performance-based vesting criteria are valued on the date of grant based on the fair value of the Company's stock, discounted for expected dividends and an estimate for illiquidity. The fair value of market-based restricted stock units is determined on the date of grant using a lattice-based option-pricing valuation model that incorporates a Monte-Carlo simulation and a discount for illiquidity. The estimated discount for illiquidity is relevant for share based awards that require the plan participant to hold the shares for a specified period of time after the award vests and is estimated using the protective put method. The Company recognizes the compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each award. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Stock-based compensation - (Continued) The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cost of goods sold $ 3,103 $ 3,001 $ 2,706 Research and development 4,815 4,694 5,218 Selling, general and administrative 19,879 18,053 22,864 Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes $ 27,797 $ 25,748 $ 30,788 Stock-based compensation expense capitalized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Capitalized in inventory $ 567 $ 691 $ 713 As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had approximately $41.0 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures, to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.90 years. The fair value of the stock-based awards granted in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was estimated with the following weighted-average assumptions: 2016 2015 2014 Stock option awards: Risk-free interest rate 0.9 % 0.2 % 1.0 % Expected dividend yield 1.6 % 1.4 % 1.2 % Expected term 4.3 years 4.1 years 4.4 years Expected volatility 25.6 % 26.6 % 28.7 % Performance-based restricted stock awards: Expected dividend yield 1.6 % — — Discount for illiquidity 9.9 % — — Market-based restricted stock awards: Risk-free interest rate 0.9 % 0.9 % — Expected dividend yield 1.6 % 1.4 % — Expected term 4.0 years 4.0 years — Expected volatility 25.8 % 27.5 % — Expected volatility of S&P 500 25.0 % 23.4 % — Discount for illiquidity 9.9 % 10.9 % — Employee stock purchase plan: Risk-free interest rate 0.5 % 0.4 % 0.3 % Expected dividend yield 1.5 % 1.5 % 1.2 % Expected term 6 months 6 months 6 months Expected volatility 27.0 % 21.5 % 23.9 % Discount for illiquidity 10.5 % — — Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Stock-based compensation - (Continued) The Company uses the United States Treasury (constant maturity) interest rate on the date of grant as the risk-free interest rate and uses historical volatility as the expected volatility. The Company’s determination of expected term is based on an analysis of historical and expected exercise patterns. In 2016, 2015 and 2014 , all stock options granted were time-based options. The Company uses an estimated forfeiture rate of 5 percent of the stock-compensation expense of non-executive employees based on an analysis of historical and expected forfeitures. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , the Company granted approximately 865,000 , 804,000 and 685,000 time-vested restricted stock units, respectively. The fair value of time-vested restricted stock units is fixed and determined on the date of grant based upon the Company's stock price on the date of grant. The weighted average fair values of the time-vested restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $29.48 , $26.30 and $32.80 per share, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company granted approximately 64,000 and 128,000 market-based restricted stock units. These units may be earned based upon the Company's total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return over a three year period of the component company at the 60th percentile level in the S&P 500 Index. Shares vested under the market-based restricted stock unit awards must be held by the participant for a period of one year from the vest date. The fair value of the market-based restricted stock units granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $ 22.89 and $ 25.55 per share, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016 , the Company granted approximately 62,000 performance-based restricted stock units. These units are earned based upon the Company's return on invested capital over a three year period. The fair value of the performance-based restricted units granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 was $ $26.41 per share. The total fair value of the restricted stock unit awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 in the table below of $28.6 million includes $ 1.5 million of grant date fair value associated with the market-based restricted stock units and $ 1.6 million of grant date fair value associated with the performance-based restricted stock units. The weighted-average fair value of stock-based compensation awards granted and vested, and the intrinsic value of options exercised during the period were (in thousands, except per share amounts): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Stock option awards: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 5.68 $ 5.60 $ 7.41 Total fair value of awards granted $ 4,716 $ 4,170 $ 4,947 Total fair value of awards vested $ 4,407 $ 4,290 $ 4,662 Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 6,170 $ 15,585 $ 35,663 Restricted stock unit awards: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 28.86 $ 29.12 $ 32.80 Total fair value of awards granted $ 28,603 $ 27,150 $ 22,484 Total fair value of awards vested $ 21,130 $ 24,458 $ 30,277 Employee stock purchase plan: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 6.33 $ 5.83 $ 7.38 Total fair value of shares estimated to be issued $ 923 $ 951 $ 1,144 The total amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $7.7 million , $20.8 million and $44.2 million , respectively, and the related tax benefits realized from the exercise of the stock options was $1.3 million , $3.9 million and $12.8 million , respectively. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Stock-based compensation - (Continued) The Company elected to adopt the “long-haul” method to calculate the historical pool of windfall tax benefits, which calculates on a grant by grant basis, the windfall or excess tax benefit that arose upon the exercise of each stock option, based on a comparison to the total tax deduction to the “as-if” deferred tax asset that would have been recorded had the Company followed the recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” Additionally, the Company elected to adopt the “tax-law ordering” method of measuring the timing in which tax deductions on stock option exercises should be recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
Concentration of risk	Concentration of risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited because a relatively large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company’s customer base, thus diversifying the trade credit risk. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company performs credit evaluations for all new customers and requires letters of credit, bank guarantees and advanced payments, if deemed necessary. A substantial portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from sales to United States and foreign government agencies (see Note 17, "Operating Segments and Related Information"). The Company also purchases certain key components from sole or limited source suppliers. The Company maintains cash deposits with major banks that from time to time may exceed federally insured limits. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of the institutions and instruments in which it invests, and adjusts its investment balances to mitigate the risk of principal loss.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and judgments made by management of the Company include matters such as collectability of accounts receivable, realizability of inventories, recoverability of deferred tax assets, impairment tests of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, recognition and measurement of loss contingencies and adequacy of warranty accruals. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company believes that the estimates used are reasonable.
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) includes cumulative translation adjustments, fair value adjustments on cash flow hedges and changes in minimum liability for pension plans. Foreign currency translation adjustments included in comprehensive income were not tax affected as investments in international affiliates are deemed to be indefinite in duration.
Product warranties	The Company generally provides a twelve to twenty-four month warranty on its products. A provision for the estimated future costs of warranty, based upon historical cost and product performance experience, is recorded when revenue is recognized.
Segment reporting	The accounting policies of each of the segments are the same. The Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer evaluates the performance of each segment based upon its revenue and earnings from operations. On a consolidated basis, these amounts represent revenue and earnings from operations as represented in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Other consists of corporate expenses and certain other operating expenses not allocated to the operating segments for management reporting purposes. Intersegment revenues are recorded at cost and are eliminated in consolidation. Accounts receivable and inventories for operating segments are regularly reviewed by management and are reported below as segment assets. All remaining assets, liabilities, capital expenditures and depreciation are managed on a Company-wide basis.
Recent accounting pronouncements	Recent accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09"), which establishes new guidance under which companies will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also provides for additional disclosure requirements. The FASB has recently issued several amendments to the new standard, including clarification on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. The amendments include ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)-Principal versus Agent Considerations, which was issued in March 2016, and clarifies the implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09, and ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)-Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which was issued in April 2016, and amends the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 related to identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The new standard permits adoption either by using (i) a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures. While ASU 2014-09 was to be effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, on July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date to periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Accordingly, the Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. The Company currently plans to adopt using the modified retrospective approach. However, a final decision regarding the adoption method has not been finalized at this time. The final determination will depend on a number of factors, such as the significance of the impact of the new standard on its financial results, system readiness, and the ability to accumulate and analyze the information necessary to assess the impact on prior period financial statements, as necessary. The Company has made progress toward completing the evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the new standard on its financial reporting and disclosures. The Company has evaluated the impact of the standard on all of its revenue streams and most of its significant contracts. The Company expects to complete the contract evaluation and validate the impact of the accounting and disclosure changes on its business processes, controls and systems during the first half of 2017, design any changes to such business processes, controls and systems by the middle of 2017, and implement the changes over the remainder of 2017. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Recent accounting pronouncements - (Continued) In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" ("ASU 2015-11"). The amendments in this update require inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2015-11 on January 1, 2017, and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The amendments in this update require the identification of arrangements that should be accounted for as leases by lessees. In general, for lease arrangements exceeding a twelve month term, these arrangements must now be recognized as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet of the lessee. ASU 2016-02 requires the use of the modified retrospective method, which will require adjustment to all comparative periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and the Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019. The Company is assessing the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and expects that the primary impact upon adoption will be the recognition, on a discounted basis, of its minimum commitments under noncancelable operating leases on its consolidated balance sheets resulting in the recording of right of use assets and lease obligations. The Company's current minimum commitments under noncancelable operating leases are disclosed in Note 12. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” (“ASU 2016-09”). The amendments in this update identify areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, and the magnitude of the impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures is dependent upon the Company’s future grants of stock-based compensation, the Company’s future stock price in relation to the fair value of awards on grant date and the exercise behavior of the Company’s option holders. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). The amendments in this update provide clarification regarding how certain cash receipts and cash payment are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 in the third quarter of 2016, and our early adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” ("ASU 2016-16"). The amendments in this update eliminate the exception of recognizing, at the time of transfer, current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting the provisions of ASU 2016-16. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business" ("ASU 2017-01"). The amendments in this update clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018, and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) Recent accounting pronouncements - (Continued) In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Updated No. 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). The amendments in this update simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2017-04 on January 1, 2017.

Nature of Business and Signif32

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Reconciliation of the numerator and denominator utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the numerator and denominator utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Numerator for earnings per share: Net earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share $ 166,626 $ 241,686 $ 200,261 Denominator for earnings per share: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 137,138 139,353 141,143 Assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares assumed reacquired under the treasury stock method 1,359 1,421 2,426 Diluted shares outstanding 138,497 140,774 143,569
Supplemental cash flow disclosure	Supplemental cash flow disclosure (in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cash paid for: Interest $ 15,815 $ 13,039 $ 13,410 Taxes $ 32,465 $ 68,534 $ 47,434
Stock-based compensation expense and related tax benefit recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and capitalized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cost of goods sold $ 3,103 $ 3,001 $ 2,706 Research and development 4,815 4,694 5,218 Selling, general and administrative 19,879 18,053 22,864 Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes $ 27,797 $ 25,748 $ 30,788 Stock-based compensation expense capitalized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Capitalized in inventory $ 567 $ 691 $ 713
Fair value of the stock-based awards granted weighted-average assumptions	The fair value of the stock-based awards granted in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was estimated with the following weighted-average assumptions: 2016 2015 2014 Stock option awards: Risk-free interest rate 0.9 % 0.2 % 1.0 % Expected dividend yield 1.6 % 1.4 % 1.2 % Expected term 4.3 years 4.1 years 4.4 years Expected volatility 25.6 % 26.6 % 28.7 % Performance-based restricted stock awards: Expected dividend yield 1.6 % — — Discount for illiquidity 9.9 % — — Market-based restricted stock awards: Risk-free interest rate 0.9 % 0.9 % — Expected dividend yield 1.6 % 1.4 % — Expected term 4.0 years 4.0 years — Expected volatility 25.8 % 27.5 % — Expected volatility of S&P 500 25.0 % 23.4 % — Discount for illiquidity 9.9 % 10.9 % — Employee stock purchase plan: Risk-free interest rate 0.5 % 0.4 % 0.3 % Expected dividend yield 1.5 % 1.5 % 1.2 % Expected term 6 months 6 months 6 months Expected volatility 27.0 % 21.5 % 23.9 % Discount for illiquidity 10.5 % — —
Fair value of the stock-based awards granted and vested, and intrinsic value of options exercised	The weighted-average fair value of stock-based compensation awards granted and vested, and the intrinsic value of options exercised during the period were (in thousands, except per share amounts): Years Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Stock option awards: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 5.68 $ 5.60 $ 7.41 Total fair value of awards granted $ 4,716 $ 4,170 $ 4,947 Total fair value of awards vested $ 4,407 $ 4,290 $ 4,662 Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 6,170 $ 15,585 $ 35,663 Restricted stock unit awards: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 28.86 $ 29.12 $ 32.80 Total fair value of awards granted $ 28,603 $ 27,150 $ 22,484 Total fair value of awards vested $ 21,130 $ 24,458 $ 30,277 Employee stock purchase plan: Weighted average grant date fair value per share $ 6.33 $ 5.83 $ 7.38 Total fair value of shares estimated to be issued $ 923 $ 951 $ 1,144
Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss)	The following table sets forth the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016 : Pension Plans Items Cash Flow Hedge Items Foreign Currency Items Total Balance, December 31, 2015 $ (1,717 ) $ 323 $ (123,732 ) $ (125,126 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 78 (357 ) (40,911 ) (41,190 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax 24 341 — 365 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 102 (16 ) (40,911 ) (40,825 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ (1,615 ) $ 307 $ (164,643 ) $ (165,951 ) Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Company’s pension plans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Net loss $ (1,630 ) $ (1,708 ) Prior service cost 15 (9 ) $ (1,615 ) $ (1,717 )

Derivative Financial Instrume33

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Notional amounts of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts by currency	The table below presents the net notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward contracts by currency at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 European euro $ 156,352 $ 281 Swedish kroner 48,555 59,198 British pound sterling 33,862 10,203 Canadian dollar 15,645 10,799 Japanese yen 3,251 2,124 Brazilian real 2,747 6,440 Australian dollar 1,653 2,342 Other — 526 $ 262,065 $ 91,913 The carrying amount of the foreign exchange contracts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Other Current Liabilities Foreign exchange contracts $ 2,369 $ 75 $ 767 $ 1,314 As of December 31, 2016 , the following interest rate swaps were outstanding: Contract Date Notional Amount (in millions) Fixed Rate Effective Date Maturity Date March 15, 2013 $ 46.9 1.02 % April 5, 2013 March 31, 2019 March 29, 2013 $ 46.9 0.97 % April 5, 2013 March 31, 2019

Accounts Receivable (Tables)

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts and the activity	The following table summarizes the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and the activity for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning of year $ 6,853 $ 8,014 $ 7,674 Charges to costs and expenses 1,460 807 1,723 Write-offs of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries (1,661 ) (1,568 ) (961 ) Currency translation adjustments (195 ) (400 ) (422 ) Allowance for doubtful accounts, end of year $ 6,457 $ 6,853 $ 8,014

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Raw material and subassemblies $ 200,640 $ 216,107 Work-in-progress 43,430 38,639 Finished goods 127,301 138,346 $ 371,371 $ 393,092

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and equipment	Property and equipment are summarized as follows (in thousands): Estimated Useful Life December 31, 2016 2015 Land — $ 22,326 $ 22,972 Buildings 30 years 162,701 163,420 Machinery and equipment 3 to 7 years 258,023 241,310 Office equipment and other 3 to 10 years 103,798 98,308 546,848 526,010 Less accumulated depreciation (275,063 ) (253,381 ) $ 271,785 $ 272,629 Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $37.8 million , $32.5 million and $34.6 million , respectively.

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Carrying value of goodwill by reporting segment and the activity	The carrying value of goodwill and the activity for the two year period ending December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands): Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 553,335 Goodwill from acquisitions 57,992 Currency translation adjustments (15,011 ) Balance, December 31, 2015 596,316 Goodwill from acquisitions 220,795 Currency translation adjustments (15,705 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ 801,406

Intangible Assets Intangible As

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible assets	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands): Weighted Average Estimated Useful Life December 31, 2016 2015 Product technology 11 years $ 98,895 $ 76,182 Customer relationships 11 years 87,013 69,272 Trademarks and trade name portfolios 14 years 8,160 7,540 Trade name portfolio not subject to amortization indefinite 37,494 37,673 In-process research and development n/a 4,700 2,250 Other 3 years 1,827 1,474 Acquired identifiable intangibles 238,089 194,391 Less accumulated amortization (73,535 ) (58,173 ) Net acquired identifiable intangibles 164,554 136,218 Patents 7 years 6,083 6,104 Less accumulated amortization (2,531 ) (1,671 ) Net patents 3,552 4,433 Acquired in-place leases and other 7 years 2,074 2,080 Less accumulated amortization (1,720 ) (1,429 ) Net acquired in-place leases and other 354 651 $ 168,460 $ 141,302
Estimated future aggregate amortization expense	For intangible assets recorded at December 31, 2016 , the estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the years ending December 31, 2017 through 2021 is approximately (in thousands): 2017 $ 23,594 2018 19,962 2019 19,041 2020 16,095 2021 14,411

Accrued Product Warranties (Tab

Accrued Product Warranties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Warranty Liability and Activity	The following table summarizes the Company’s warranty liability and activity for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Accrued product warranties, beginning of year $ 16,514 $ 16,175 $ 17,732 Amounts paid for warranty services (19,592 ) (12,821 ) (10,267 ) Warranty provisions for products sold 22,928 13,074 9,880 Business acquisition 1,215 395 — Currency translation adjustments and other (220 ) (309 ) (1,170 ) Accrued product warranties, end of year $ 20,845 $ 16,514 $ 16,175 Current accrued product warranties, end of year $ 17,476 $ 13,406 $ 13,538 Long-term accrued product warranties, end of year $ 3,369 $ 3,108 $ 2,637

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Unsecured notes $ 425,000 $ 250,000 Term loan — 108,750 Credit Agreement 97,500 — Unamortized discounts and issuance costs of unsecured notes (5,579 ) (306 ) $ 516,921 $ 358,444 Current portion, long-term debt $ 15,000 $ 264,694 Long-term debt $ 501,921 $ 93,750

Commitments (Tables)

Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Minimum Obligations	The future minimum obligations under all non-cancelable leases and other contractual obligations are as follows (in thousands): Net Operating Leases Other Contractual Obligations 2017 $ 9,265 $ 1,049 2018 5,660 766 2019 2,805 2020 1,539 — 2021 1,135 — Thereafter 808 — Total minimum payments $ 21,212 $ 1,815

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Pre-tax earnings by significant geographical locations	Pre-tax earnings by significant geographical locations are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 United States $ 124,500 $ 146,940 $ 113,967 Foreign 151,457 158,506 135,562 $ 275,957 $ 305,446 $ 249,529
Provisions for income taxes	The provisions for income taxes are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Current tax expense: Federal $ 36,771 $ 35,029 $ 30,224 State 5,785 6,074 5,511 Foreign 64,109 19,884 11,389 106,665 60,987 47,124 Deferred tax expense (benefit): Federal 1,404 10,752 1,207 State 267 1,052 (1,115 ) Foreign 995 (9,031 ) 2,052 2,666 2,773 2,144 Total income tax provision $ 109,331 $ 63,760 $ 49,268
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) were classified on the balance sheet as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets, non-current 45,243 55,429 Deferred tax liabilities, non-current (2,331 ) (3,623 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 42,912 $ 51,806 Valuation allowance $ 2,924 $ 2,607 Note 14. Income Taxes—(Continued) The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Accrued liabilities and allowances $ 28,909 $ 27,170 Tax credit and loss carry-forwards 25,522 29,297 Stock-based compensation 17,204 15,628 Inventory basis differences 11,337 10,494 Deferred revenue 4,758 6,184 Other assets 917 1,373 Gross deferred tax assets 88,647 90,146 Valuation allowance (2,924 ) (2,607 ) Total deferred tax assets, net 85,723 87,539 Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets (33,564 ) (26,996 ) Property and equipment (7,212 ) (6,612 ) Other liabilities (2,035 ) (2,125 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (42,811 ) (35,733 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 42,912 $ 51,806
Effective income tax rate reconciliation	The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of tax determined by applying the applicable United States statutory federal income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following differences: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Statutory federal tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % (Decrease) increase in rates resulting from: Foreign rate differential (11.3 ) (7.8 ) (12.7 ) Foreign, federal and state income tax credits (1.2 ) (2.1 ) (1.7 ) State taxes 2.3 2.4 2.1 European Union state aid recovery 14.4 — — Valuation allowance release — (6.4 ) (0.1 ) Other 0.4 (0.2 ) (2.9 ) Effective tax rate 39.6 % 20.9 % 19.7 %
Activity related to unrecognized tax benefits, including amounts accrued for potential interest and penalties	The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits, including amounts accrued for potential interest and penalties (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of year $ 14,967 $ 15,401 $ 29,533 Increases related to current year tax positions 1,150 1,446 1,457 Increases related to prior year tax positions 40,756 299 12 Decreases related to prior year tax positions (610 ) (724 ) (781 ) Lapse of statute of limitations (4,070 ) (1,455 ) (5,165 ) Settlements (342 ) — (9,655 ) Balance, end of year $ 51,851 $ 14,967 $ 15,401
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	The Company currently has the following tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions: Tax Years: United States Federal 2013 - 2015 State of California 2013 - 2015 State of Massachusetts 2012 - 2015 State of Oregon 2013 - 2015 Sweden 2012 - 2015 United Kingdom 2012 - 2015 Belgium 2011 - 2015

Stock-based Compensation (Table

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Information with Respect to Stock Option Activity	Information with respect to stock option activity for 2016 is as follows: Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2015 4,748 $ 27.49 5.5 Granted 831 30.75 Exercised (456 ) 17.65 Forfeited (14 ) 31.91 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 5,109 $ 28.88 5.6 $ 37,324 Exercisable at December 31, 2016 3,849 $ 28.16 4.6 $ 30,916 Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2016 5,046 $ 28.86 5.6 $ 37,004
Information with Respect to Restricted Stock Unit Activity	Information with respect to restricted stock unit activity for 2016 is as follows: Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2015 1,706 $ 28.89 Granted 992 28.97 Vested and distributed (691 ) 30.46 Forfeited (77 ) 30.51 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 1,930 $ 30.92

Other Employee Benefit Plans (T

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive earnings	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , net of tax, are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Net earnings (loss) $ 78 $ 500 $ (372 ) Prior service cost 24 161 160 $ 102 $ 661 $ (212 )
Components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) related to the Company’s pension plans	The following table sets forth the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016 : Pension Plans Items Cash Flow Hedge Items Foreign Currency Items Total Balance, December 31, 2015 $ (1,717 ) $ 323 $ (123,732 ) $ (125,126 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 78 (357 ) (40,911 ) (41,190 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax 24 341 — 365 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 102 (16 ) (40,911 ) (40,825 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ (1,615 ) $ 307 $ (164,643 ) $ (165,951 ) Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Company’s pension plans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 Net loss $ (1,630 ) $ (1,708 ) Prior service cost 15 (9 ) $ (1,615 ) $ (1,717 )
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets	A summary of the components of the net periodic pension expense for the benefit obligation and fund assets of the plans is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at January 1 $ 11,426 $ 11,813 Service costs — 156 Interest costs 397 353 Actuarial loss (gain) 177 (199 ) Benefits paid (312 ) (312 ) Foreign currency changes (269 ) (385 ) Benefit obligation at December 31 $ 11,419 $ 11,426 Fair value of plan assets at December 31 $ — $ — Unfunded status at December 31 $ 11,419 $ 11,426 Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Current liabilities $ 292 $ 307 Non-current liabilities $ 11,127 $ 11,119
Weighted average assumptions used	The weighted average assumptions used are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Net periodic benefit cost: SERP: Discount rate 4.00 % 3.75 % Rate of increase in compensation levels 3.00 % 3.00 % Defined benefit pension plan for employees outside the United States: Discount rate 2.00 % 2.60 % Funded status and projected benefit obligation: SERP: Discount rate 4.00 % 4.00 % Rate of increase in compensation levels 3.00 % 3.00 % Defined benefit pension plan for employees outside the United States: Discount rate 2.00 % 2.60 %
Benefits expected to be paid under the plans	Benefits expected to be paid under the plans are approximately (in thousands): 2017 $ 292 2018 271 2019 267 2020 253 2021 9,113 Five years thereafter 1,048 $ 11,244
Components of net periodic benefit cost	Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Service costs $ — $ 156 $ 166 Interest costs 397 353 444 Net amortization and deferral 260 513 279 Settlement loss — — 163 Net periodic pension costs $ 657 $ 1,022 $ 1,052
Components of net periodic benefit cost expected to be recognized from amounts in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss)	Components of net periodic benefit cost expected to be recognized from amounts in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) during the year ending December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, 2017 Net loss $ 155 Net prior service cost — $ 155

Operating Segments and Relate45

Operating Segments and Related Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segment Information	Operating segment information is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Revenue—External Customers: Surveillance $ 532,476 $ 503,045 $ 519,982 Instruments 336,141 347,476 354,124 Security 240,010 226,575 179,090 OEM & Emerging Markets 243,678 186,722 199,096 Maritime 185,726 177,948 192,636 Detection 124,136 115,301 85,726 $ 1,662,167 $ 1,557,067 $ 1,530,654 Revenue—Intersegments: Surveillance $ 18,835 $ 10,761 $ 7,209 Instruments 4,343 9,951 1,793 Security 13,838 12,033 11,017 OEM & Emerging Markets 33,442 33,059 21,856 Maritime 3,450 2,108 2,936 Detection 31 — 95 Eliminations (73,939 ) (67,912 ) (44,906 ) $ — $ — $ — Earnings (loss) from operations: Surveillance $ 144,906 $ 145,637 $ 127,222 Instruments 96,691 112,353 98,954 Security 10,172 28,140 24,871 OEM & Emerging Markets 59,686 41,065 50,249 Maritime 15,428 13,611 24,494 Detection 33,847 26,904 10,958 Other (65,012 ) (61,946 ) (77,504 ) $ 295,718 $ 305,764 $ 259,244
Segment Assets	December 31, 2016 2015 Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories): Surveillance $ 283,324 $ 286,058 Instruments 114,681 130,135 Security 93,174 105,509 OEM & Emerging Markets 144,862 93,925 Maritime 61,494 73,506 Detection 25,856 30,057 $ 723,391 $ 719,190 Note 17. Operating Segments and Related Information—(Continued) Operating Segments - (Continued) December 31, 2016 2015 Segment goodwill: Surveillance $ 152,383 $ 120,145 Instruments 147,595 149,582 Security 102,983 101,955 OEM & Emerging Markets 252,647 69,973 Maritime 97,860 106,549 Detection 47,938 48,112 $ 801,406 $ 596,316
By Significant Geographical Location	Revenue and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area Information related to revenue by significant geographical location, determined by the end customer, is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 (as reclassified) 2014 United States $ 903,582 $ 830,485 $ 783,685 Europe 338,805 338,886 350,118 Asia 195,913 175,616 164,633 Middle East/Africa 130,890 125,848 138,186 Canada/Latin America 92,977 86,232 94,032 $ 1,662,167 $ 1,557,067 $ 1,530,654 Long-lived assets are comprised of net property and equipment, net identifiable intangible assets, goodwill and other long-term assets. Long-lived assets by significant geographic locations are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2016 2015 United States $ 676,007 $ 666,759 Europe 673,767 383,501 Other foreign 60,032 13,197 $ 1,409,806 $ 1,063,457
Revenue Derived from Major Customers	Major Customers Revenue derived from major customers is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 (as reclassified) 2014 United States government $ 416,341 $ 321,420 $ 310,431

Business Acquisitions (Tables)

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	The allocation of the purchase price for Armasight is as follows (in thousands): Cash acquired $ 2,804 Other tangible assets and liabilities, net 1,925 Net deferred taxes (1,855 ) Identifiable intangible assets 7,600 Goodwill 32,994 Total purchase price $ 43,468 The preliminary allocation of the purchase price for Point Grey is as follows (in thousands): Cash acquired $ 2,994 Other tangible assets and liabilities, net 35,127 Net deferred taxes (2,438 ) Identifiable intangible assets 39,800 Goodwill 183,678 Total purchase price $ 259,161 The allocation of the purchase price for DVETEL is as follows (in thousands): Cash acquired $ 5,015 Other tangible assets and liabilities, net 4,025 Net deferred taxes 582 Identifiable intangible assets 27,380 Goodwill 60,494 Total purchase price $ 97,496
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the acquired intangible assets, their estimated fair values, and estimated useful lives (in thousands, except years): Estimated Amount Developed technology 7.5 years $ 21,500 Customer relationships 10.0 years 3,800 In-process research and development n/a 1,700 Other 1.0 year 380 $ 27,380 The following table presents the acquired intangible assets, their estimated fair values, and estimated useful lives (in thousands, except years): Estimated Amount Customer relationships 4.0 years 5,200 Trade name 3.0 years 1,000 Trade Secrets 6.0 years 1,400 $ 7,600 The following table presents the acquired intangible assets, their preliminary estimated fair values, and preliminary estimated useful lives (in thousands, except years): Estimated Amount Developed technology 10.0 years $ 23,100 Customer relationships 7.0 years 13,200 Backlog 1.0 year 2,300 Non-Competition Agreements 5.0 years 1,000 Other n/a 200 $ 39,800

Restructuring Costs (Tables)

Restructuring Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The Company recorded the restructuring expenses in the segments as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Surveillance $ 107 $ 226 $ 5,232 Instruments 492 1,170 10,998 Security — — — OEM & Emerging 65 (22 ) 170 Maritime — — (90 ) Detection — (13 ) 544 Other — — 120 $ 664 $ 1,361 $ 16,974 During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company also incurred other immaterial restructuring charges representing severance costs associated with cost reduction initiatives executed in the second half of the year that were not related to the realignment plan initiated in 2013. Note 20. Restructuring Costs - (Continued) Restructuring expenses were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cost of goods sold $ — $ — $ 591 Restructuring expenses 664 1,361 16,383 $ 664 $ 1,361 $ 16,974 The following table summarizes the activity by cost type (in thousands): Severance Inventory Facilities Exit, Lease Terminations & Other Total Balance, December 31, 2013 $ 18,191 $ — $ 3,670 $ 21,861 2014 restructuring costs 11,860 590 4,524 16,974 Utilization (19,110 ) (590 ) (6,709 ) (26,409 ) Balance, December 31, 2014 $ 10,941 $ — $ 1,485 $ 12,426 2015 restructuring expenses 924 — 437 1,361 Utilization (8,409 ) — (1,601 ) (10,010 ) Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 3,456 $ — $ 321 $ 3,777 2016 restructuring expenses 642 — 22 664 Utilization (2,257 ) — (343 ) (2,600 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ 1,841 $ — $ — $ 1,841

Quarterly Financial Data (Una48

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) FLIR SYSTEMS, INC. (In thousands, except per share data) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2016 Revenue $ 379,472 $ 402,729 $ 405,228 $ 474,738 Gross profit 177,690 183,322 191,376 214,733 Net earnings (1)(2) 1,125 45,368 58,633 61,500 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.01 $ 0.33 $ 0.43 $ 0.45 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.01 $ 0.33 $ 0.43 $ 0.45 2015 Revenue $ 344,517 $ 392,975 $ 381,928 $ 437,647 Gross profit 175,897 189,615 180,739 207,310 Net earnings (3) 47,910 50,500 73,072 70,204 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.52 $ 0.51 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.34 $ 0.36 $ 0.52 $ 0.51 _______________

Nature of Business and Signif49

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Numerator for earnings per share:
Net earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 166,626	$ 241,686	$ 200,261
Denominator for earnings per share:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	137,138	139,353	141,143
Assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares assumed reacquired under the treasury stock method	1,359	1,421	2,426
Diluted shares outstanding	138,497	140,774	143,569

Nature of Business and Signif50

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash paid for:
Interest	$ 15,815	$ 13,039	$ 13,410
Taxes	$ 32,465	$ 68,534	$ 47,434

Nature of Business and Signif51

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 27,797	$ 25,748	$ 30,788
Cost of goods sold
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	3,103	3,001	2,706
Research and development
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	4,815	4,694	5,218
Selling General and Administrative Expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 19,879	$ 18,053	$ 22,864

Nature of Business and Signif52

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Capitalized in inventory	$ 567	$ 691	$ 713

Nature of Business and Signif53

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Option Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	0.90%	0.20%	1.00%
Expected dividend yield	1.60%	1.40%	1.20%
Expected term	4 years 3 months	4 years 1 month	4 years 5 months
Expected volatility	25.60%	26.60%	28.70%
Performance-based restricted stock unit [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	1.60%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Discount for Postvesting Restrictions	9.90%
Market-based restricted stock unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	0.90%	0.90%
Expected dividend yield	1.60%	1.40%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Discount for Postvesting Restrictions	9.90%	10.90%
Expected term	4 years	4 years
Expected volatility	25.80%	27.50%
Expected volatility of S&P 500	25.00%	23.40%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	0.50%	0.40%	0.30%
Expected dividend yield	1.50%	1.50%	1.20%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Discount for Postvesting Restrictions	10.50%
Expected term	6 months	6 months	6 months
Expected volatility	27.00%	21.50%	23.90%

Nature of Business and Signif54

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 6) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Market-based restricted stock unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total fair value of awards granted	$ 1,500
Performance-based restricted stock unit [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total fair value of awards granted	1,600
Stock Option Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total fair value of awards granted	4,716	$ 4,170	$ 4,947
Total fair value of awards vested	4,407	4,290	4,662
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 6,170	$ 15,585	$ 35,663
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 5.68	$ 5.60	$ 7.41
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 28.86	$ 29.12	$ 32.80
Total fair value of awards granted	$ 28,603	$ 27,150	$ 22,484
Total fair value of awards vested	$ 21,130	$ 24,458	$ 30,277
Market-based restricted stock unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units granted	64	128
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 22.89	$ 25.55
Performance-based restricted stock unit [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units granted	62
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 26.41
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 6.33	$ 5.83	$ 7.38
Total fair value of shares estimated to be issued	$ 923	$ 951	$ 1,144

Nature of Business and Signif55

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 7) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Changes from Accumulated Other Comprehensive income [Abstract]
Pension plans, beginning balance	$ (1,717)
Pension plans adjustment, before reclassification	78
Pension plans, reclassification	24
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Tax	341
Pension plans adjustment, after reclassification	102
Pension plans, ending balalnce	(1,615)
Cash flow hedges, beginning balance	323
Cash flow hedges adjustment, before reclassification	(357)
Cash flow hedges, reclassification	0
Cash flow hedges adjustment, after reclassification	(16)
Cash flow hedges, ending balance	307
Foreign currency translation, beginning balance	(123,732)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(40,911)
Foreign currency translation, ending balance	(164,643)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, beginning balance	(125,126)
Other comprehensive earnings, before reclassifications	(41,190)
Other comprehensive earnings, reclassification	365
Other comprehensive earnings, after adjustment	(40,825)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, ending balance	$ (165,951)

Nature of Business and Signif56

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	$ (164,643)	$ (123,732)
Gains and (losses) netted against other income, net	(2,200)	(2,500)	$ 200
Other Inventory, Demo, Gross	36,900	36,800
Advertising costs	19,300	18,700	$ 12,600
Carrying value of cost-basis investments	$ 3,200	$ 5,200
Effect of stock-based compensation awards, shares excluded for purposes of diluted earnings per share	233	354	171
Unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures	$ 41,000
Weighted average period of unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, net of estimated forfeitures	1 year 10 months 24 days
Estimated forfeiture rate	5.00%
Level 1
Cash equivalents at fair value	$ 8,300	$ 29,000
Time-vested restricted stock unit
Restricted stock units granted	865	804	685
Time-vested and performance-based restricted stock unit
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 29.48	$ 26.30	$ 32.80
Market-based restricted stock unit
Total fair value of awards granted	$ 1,500
Performance-based restricted stock unit [Domain]
Total fair value of awards granted	1,600
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Total fair value of awards granted	$ 28,603	$ 27,150	$ 22,484
Market-based restricted stock unit
Restricted stock units granted	64	128
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 22.89	$ 25.55
Stock Option Awards
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	$ 7,700	$ 20,800	44,200
Related tax benefit realized from the exercise of the stock options	$ 1,300	$ 3,900	$ 12,800

Fair Value of Financial Instr57

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents at fair value	$ 8.3	$ 29
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of senior unsecured notes	$ 426.3

Derivative Financial Instrume58

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	$ 262,065	$ 91,913
Swedish Kronor
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	48,555	59,198
Canadian Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	15,645	10,799
British Pound Sterling
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	33,862	10,203
Brazil, Brazil Real
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	2,747	6,440
Australian Dollar
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	1,653	2,342
Euro
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	156,352	281
Japanese Yen
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	3,251	2,124
Other
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amounts of foreign currency forward contracts	$ 0	$ 526

Derivative Financial Instrume59

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details 2) - Foreign exchange contracts - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Current Assets
Derivatives [Line Items]
Carrying amount of derivative asset	$ 2,369	$ 767
Other Current Liabilities
Derivatives [Line Items]
Carrying amount of derivative liability	$ 75	$ 1,314

Derivative Financial Instrume60

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 262,065	$ 91,913
March 15, 2013 Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Contract Date	Mar. 15, 2013
Notional Amount	$ 46,900
Fixed Rate	1.02%
Effective Date	Apr. 5, 2013
Maturity Date	Mar. 31, 2019
March 29, 2013 Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Contract Date	Mar. 29, 2013
Notional Amount	$ 46,900
Fixed Rate	0.97%
Effective Date	Apr. 5, 2013
Maturity Date	Mar. 31, 2019

Derivative Financial Instrume61

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Net gain (loss)	$ (5.3)	$ (6.7)	$ 8.3
Term loan, effective interest rate	2.37%
Level 2 | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$ 0.3

Accounts Receivable (Details)

Accounts Receivable (Details) - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning of year	$ 6,853	$ 8,014	$ 7,674
Charges to costs and expenses	1,460	807	1,723
Write-offs of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries	(1,661)	(1,568)	(961)
Currency translation adjustments	(195)	(400)	(422)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, end of year	$ 6,457	$ 6,853	$ 8,014

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw material and subassemblies	$ 200,640	$ 216,107
Work-in-progress	43,430	38,639
Finished goods	127,301	138,346
Total inventories	$ 371,371	$ 393,092

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 546,848	$ 526,010
Less accumulated depreciation	(275,063)	(253,381)
Property and equipment, net	271,785	272,629
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	22,326	22,972
Building
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 162,701	163,420
Building | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	30 years
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 258,023	241,310
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	7 years
Office equipment and other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 103,798	$ 98,308
Office equipment and other | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	3 years
Office equipment and other | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life	10 years

Property and Equipment (Detai65

Property and Equipment (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation	$ 37.8	$ 32.5	$ 34.6

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 596,316	$ 553,335
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			220,795	57,992
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments			(15,705)	(15,011)
Ending Balance		$ 801,406	801,406	596,316
DVTEL [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 60,494
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 58,000	$ 2,500
Ending Balance				$ 60,494

Intangible Assets (Details)

Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
In Process Research and Development	$ 4,700	$ 2,250
Net carrying amount	168,460	141,302
Aggregate amortization expense	18,400	16,400	$ 21,100
2,017	23,594
2,018	19,962
2,019	19,041
2,020	16,095
2,021	14,411
Armasight, Inc. and Point Grey Research, Inc.
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	47,400
DVTEL [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	27,380	27,380
Acquired identifiable intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired identifiable intangibles,Gross	238,089	194,391
Less accumulated amortization	(73,535)	(58,173)
Net carrying amount	164,554	136,218
Product technology | Acquired identifiable intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 98,895	76,182
Weighted average estimated useful life	11 years
Trade name | Acquired identifiable intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 87,013	69,272
Weighted average estimated useful life	11 years
Trademarks and tradename portfolios | Acquired identifiable intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 8,160	7,540
Weighted average estimated useful life	14 years
Tradename not subject to amortization | Acquired identifiable intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
acquired indefinite life intangible asset	indefinite
Trade Secrets | Acquired identifiable intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 1,827	1,474
Weighted average estimated useful life	3 years
Patents | Nonacquired intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 6,083	6,104
Less accumulated amortization	(2,531)	(1,671)
Net carrying amount	$ 3,552	4,433
Weighted average estimated useful life	7 years
Acquired in-place leases and other | Nonacquired intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 2,074	2,080
Less accumulated amortization	(1,720)	(1,429)
Net carrying amount	$ 354	651
Weighted average estimated useful life	7 years
Trade Names [Member] | Acquired identifiable intangibles
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Infinite-Lived Intangibles, Gross	$ 37,494	$ 37,673

Credit Agreement (Details)

Credit Agreement (Details) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)covenants	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Feb. 08, 2011USD ($)
Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 200,000
Option to increase maximum borrowing capacity	$ 200,000
Term of agreement		5 years
Commitment fee rate		0.18%
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding		$ 17,900
Letter of Credit Facility, Number of Covenants | covenants		2
Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement | Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.15%
Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.30%
Long-term Debt | Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Term loan		$ 150,000
Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross		$ 97,500	$ 0
Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility | Amended Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	500,000
Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility | Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	$ 105,000
LIBOR | Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		2.145%
Prime Rate | Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		4.13%
Prime Rate | Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement | Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.125%
Prime Rate | Bank Of America February Two Thousand Eleven New Credit Agreement | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.125%

Accrued Product Warranties (Det

Accrued Product Warranties (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)months	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Accrued product warranties, beginning of year	$ 16,514	$ 16,175	$ 17,732
Amounts paid for warranty services	(19,592)	(12,821)	(10,267)
Warranty provisions for products sold	22,928	13,074	9,880
Business acquisitions and disposals	1,215	395	0
Currency translation adjustments and other	(220)	(309)	(1,170)
Accrued product warranties, end of year	20,845	16,514	16,175
Current accrued product warranties, end of year	17,476	13,406	13,538
Long-term accrued product warranties, end of ear	$ 3,369	$ 3,108	$ 2,637
Minimum
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Product warranty term | months	12
Maximum
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Product warranty term | months	24

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 05, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 05, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net					$ 5,579		$ 306
Long-term Debt					516,921		358,444
Current portion, long-term debt					15,000		264,694
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities					501,921		93,750
Line of Credit Assumed				$ 105,000
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross					$ 97,500		0
3.75 % senior unsecured notes due September 1, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes, issued amount			$ 250,000
Senior unsecured notes, interest rate			3.75%
Senior unsecured notes, maturity date			Sep. 1, 2016
Term of agreement					5 years
Three Point One Two Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes Due June Fifteenth Twenty Twenty Five [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes, issued amount						$ 425,000
Senior unsecured notes, interest rate				3.125%
Senior unsecured notes, proceeds				$ 421,000
Term of agreement		5 years
Term loan facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes, issued amount								$ 150,000
Unsecured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross					$ 425,000		250,000
Unsecured notes | 3.75 % senior unsecured notes due September 1, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	$ 1,300
Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross					$ 0		$ 108,750

Commitments (Details)

Commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Total net rent expense	$ 9,000	$ 12,200	$ 14,000
Net Operating Leases
2,017	9,265
2,018	5,660
2,019	2,805
2,020	1,539
2,021	1,135
Thereafter	808
Total minimum payments	21,212
Other Contractual Obligations
2,017	1,049
2,018	766
2,019
2,020	0
2,021	0
Thereafter	0
Total minimum payments	$ 1,815

Contingencies (Details)

Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 27, 2010	Dec. 31, 2016
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement payment	$ 3
Loss contingency accrual		$ 2.5
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss		2.5
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss		$ 15

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes [Abstract]
United States	$ 124,500	$ 146,940	$ 113,967
Foreign	151,457	158,506	135,562
Earnings before income taxes	275,957	305,446	249,529
Current tax expense (benefit):
Federal	36,771	35,029	30,224
State	5,785	6,074	5,511
Foreign	64,109	19,884	11,389
Current income tax expense (benefit)	106,665	60,987	47,124
Deferred tax expense (benefit):
Federal	1,404	10,752	1,207
State	267	1,052	(1,115)
Foreign	995	(9,031)	2,052
Deferred income taxes	5,613	2,863	(1,242)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Excluding Discontinued Operations	2,666	2,773	2,144
Total provision	$ 109,331	$ 63,760	$ 49,268

Income Taxes (Details 2)

Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Accrued Liabilities and allowances	$ 28,909	$ 27,170
Tax credit carry-forwards	25,522	29,297
Stock-based compensation	17,204	15,628
Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory	11,337	10,494
Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Revenue	4,758	6,184
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	917	1,373
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	88,647	90,146
Valuation allowance	(2,924)	(2,607)
Net deferred tax assets	85,723	87,539
Deferred tax liabilities - Intangibles	(33,564)	(26,996)
Deferred tax liabilities - Depreciation	(7,212)	(6,612)
Other deferred tax liabilities	(2,035)	(2,125)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(42,811)	(35,733)
Total deferred tax assets, net	42,912	51,806
Discrete tax expense	39,600
Cumulative amount of earnings upon which United States income taxes have not been provided	785,000
UNITED STATES FEDERAL
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry-forwards	4,200
Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry-forwards	74,300
State taxes
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry-forwards	27,800
Deferred taxes balance sheet classification [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets - non-current	45,243	55,429
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current	(2,331)	(3,623)
Valuation allowance	(2,924)	(2,607)
Total deferred tax assets, net	$ 42,912	$ 51,806
Minimum | UNITED STATES FEDERAL
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Year	2,019
Minimum | Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Year	2,018
Minimum | State taxes
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Year	2,017
Maximum | UNITED STATES FEDERAL
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Year	2,031
Maximum | Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Year	2,033
Maximum | State taxes
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Year	2,033

Income Taxes (Details 3)

Income Taxes (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Foreign rate differential	(11.30%)	(7.80%)	(12.70%)
Foreign, federal and state income tax credits	(1.20%)	(2.10%)	(1.70%)
State taxes	2.30%	2.40%	2.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Settlement, Foreign, Percent	14.40%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Percent	0.00%	(6.40%)	(0.10%)
Other	0.40%	(0.20%)	(2.90%)
Effective tax rate	39.60%	20.90%	19.70%

Income Taxes (Details 4)

Income Taxes (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 14,967	$ 15,401	$ 29,533
Increases related to current year tax positions	1,150	1,446	1,457
Increases related to prior year tax positions	40,756	299	12
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(610)	(724)	(781)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(4,070)	(1,455)	(5,165)
Settlements	(342)	0	(9,655)
Balance, end of year	51,851	$ 14,967	$ 15,401
Accrued interest and penalties	$ 2,600

Income Taxes (Details 5)

Income Taxes (Details 5)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
United States Federal | Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,013
United States Federal | Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,015
State of California | Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,013
State of California | Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,015
MASSACHUSETTS | Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,012
MASSACHUSETTS | Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,015
OREGON | Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,013
OREGON | Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,015
SWEDEN | Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,012
SWEDEN | Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,015
UNITED KINGDOM | Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,012
UNITED KINGDOM | Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,015
BELGIUM | Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,011
BELGIUM | Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions	2,015

Stock-based Compensation (Detai

Stock-based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period	4,748
Granted	831
Exercised	(456)
Forfeited	(14)
Outstanding at end of period	5,109	4,748
Exercisable at end of period	3,849
Vested and expected to vest at end of period	5,046
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period	$ 27.49
Granted	30.75
Exercised	17.65
Forfeited	31.91
Outstanding at end of period	28.88	$ 27.49
Exercisable at end of period	28.16
Vested and expected to vest at end of period	$ 28.86
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
Outstanding at beginning of period	5 years 7 months	5 years 6 months
Exercisable at end of period	4 years 7 months
Vested and expected to vest at end of period	5 years 7 months
Outstanding at end of period	5 years 7 months	5 years 6 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at end of period	$ 37,324
Exercisable at end of period	30,916
Vested and expected to vest at end of period	$ 37,004

Stock-based Compensation (Det79

Stock-based Compensation (Details 2) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under all of the stock incentive plans	11,906,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period	1,706,000
Granted	992,000
Vested and distributed	(691,000)
Forfeited	(77,000)
Outstanding at end of period	1,930,000	1,706,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of period	$ 28.89
Granted	28.97
Vested and distributed	30.46
Forfeited	30.51
Outstanding at end of period	$ 30.92	$ 28.89
Employee Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under all of the stock incentive plans	3,136,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted	$ 6.33	$ 5.83	$ 7.38

Stock-based Compensation (Det80

Stock-based Compensation (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ESPP, Weighted Average Purchase Price of Shares Purchased | $ / shares	$ 24.61
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under all of the stock incentive plans	3,136,000
Discount from fair market value of the stock	85.00%
Shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP	5,000,000
Number of common stock shares issued	174,000

Other Employee Benefit Plans (D

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
401(k) matching contributions	$ 8.1	$ 7.5	$ 6.9
Pension liability	$ 2.6	$ 2.8

Other Employee Benefit Plans 82

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 78	$ 500	$ (372)
Prior service cost	24	161	160
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	102	661	$ (212)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Net loss	(1,630)	(1,708)
Prior service cost	15	(9)
Total recognized in AOCI	$ (1,615)	$ (1,717)

Other Employee Benefit Plans 83

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at January 1	$ 11,426	$ 11,813
Service costs	0	156	$ 166
Interest costs	397	353	444
Actuarial loss (gain)	177	(199)
Benefits paid	(312)	(312)
Foreign currency exchange changes	(269)	(385)
Benefit obligation at December 31	11,419	11,426	$ 11,813
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	0	0
Unfunded status at December 31	11,419	11,426
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	292	307
Non-current liabilities	$ 11,127	$ 11,119
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
Net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate	4.00%	3.75%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.00%	3.00%
Funded status and projected benefit obligation:
Discount rate	4.00%	4.00%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.00%	3.00%
Defined benefit pension plan for employees outside the United States
Net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate	2.00%	2.60%
Funded status and projected benefit obligation:
Discount rate	2.00%	2.60%

Other Employee Benefit Plans 84

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details 4) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
2,017	$ 292
2,018	271
2,019	267
2,020	253
2,021	9,113
Five years thereafter	1,048
Total expected future benefit payments	$ 11,244

Other Employee Benefit Plans 85

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service costs	$ 0	$ 156	$ 166
Interest costs	397	353	444
Net amortization and deferral	260	513	279
Settlement loss	0	0	163
Net periodic pension costs	657	$ 1,022	$ 1,052
Defined Benefit Plan, Amount to be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Net loss	155
Net prior service cost	0
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year	$ 155

Operating Segments and Relate86

Operating Segments and Related Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	6

Operating Segments and Relate87

Operating Segments and Related Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 474,738	$ 405,228	$ 402,729	$ 379,472	$ 437,647	$ 381,928	$ 392,975	$ 344,517	$ 1,662,167	$ 1,557,067	$ 1,530,654
Intersegment revenue									0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from operations									295,718	305,764	259,244
Surveillance
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									532,476	503,045	519,982
Intersegment revenue									18,835	10,761	7,209
Earnings (loss) from operations									144,906	145,637	127,222
Instruments
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									336,141	347,476	354,124
Intersegment revenue									4,343	9,951	1,793
Earnings (loss) from operations									96,691	112,353	98,954
OEM & Emerging Markets
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									243,678	186,722	199,096
Intersegment revenue									33,442	33,059	21,856
Earnings (loss) from operations									59,686	41,065	50,249
Maritime
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									185,726	177,948	192,636
Intersegment revenue									3,450	2,108	2,936
Earnings (loss) from operations									15,428	13,611	24,494
Security
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									240,010	226,575	179,090
Intersegment revenue									13,838	12,033	11,017
Earnings (loss) from operations									10,172	28,140	24,871
Detection
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									124,136	115,301	85,726
Intersegment revenue									31	0	95
Earnings (loss) from operations									33,847	26,904	10,958
Eliminations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Intersegment revenue									73,939	67,912	44,906
Other Segments
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from operations									$ (65,012)	$ (61,946)	$ (77,504)

Operating Segments and Relate88

Operating Segments and Related Information (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories)	$ 723,391	$ 719,190
Segment Reporting Information goodwill	801,406	596,316	$ 553,335
Surveillance
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories)	283,324	286,058
Segment Reporting Information goodwill	152,383	120,145
Instruments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories)	114,681	130,135
Segment Reporting Information goodwill	147,595	149,582
Security
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories)	93,174	105,509
Segment Reporting Information goodwill	102,983	101,955
OEM & Emerging Markets [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories)	144,862	93,925
Segment Reporting Information goodwill	252,647	69,973
Maritime [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories)	61,494	73,506
Segment Reporting Information goodwill	97,860	106,549
Detection
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment assets (accounts receivable, net and inventories)	25,856	30,057
Segment Reporting Information goodwill	$ 47,938	$ 48,112

Operating Segments and Relate89

Operating Segments and Related Information (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 474,738	$ 405,228	$ 402,729	$ 379,472	$ 437,647	$ 381,928	$ 392,975	$ 344,517	$ 1,662,167	$ 1,557,067	$ 1,530,654
United States
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									903,582	830,485	783,685
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									338,805	338,886	350,118
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									195,913	175,616	164,633
Mid_East/Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									130,890	125,848	138,186
Canada/Latin_America [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue									$ 92,977	$ 86,232	$ 94,032

Operating Segments and Relate90

Operating Segments and Related Information (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 1,409,806	$ 1,063,457
United States
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	676,007	666,759
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	673,767	383,501
Other Geographic Region [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 60,032	$ 13,197

Operating Segments and Relate91

Operating Segments and Related Information (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 474,738	$ 405,228	$ 402,729	$ 379,472	$ 437,647	$ 381,928	$ 392,975	$ 344,517	$ 1,662,167	$ 1,557,067	$ 1,530,654
United States government
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue									$ 416,341	$ 321,420	$ 310,431

Business Acquisitions (Detail)

Business Acquisitions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 04, 2016	Jun. 28, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 801,406	$ 596,316		$ 553,335
Armasight, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash acquired			2,804
Other tangible assets and liabilities, net			1,925
Net deferred taxes		$ (2,778)	(1,855)
Identifiable intangible assets		7,600	7,600
Goodwill		31,100	32,994
Total purchase price		$ 43,468
DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash acquired				5,015
Net tangible assets				4,025	$ 12,100
Net deferred taxes				582
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			$ 27,380	27,380
Purchase price				97,496	97,500
Identifiable intangible assets					$ 27,400
Goodwill				$ 60,494
Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash acquired	$ 2,994
Other tangible assets and liabilities, net	35,127
Net deferred taxes	(2,438)
Identifiable intangible assets	39,800
Goodwill	183,678
Total purchase price	$ 259,161

Business Acquisitions (Details

Business Acquisitions (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 04, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 200
DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			$ 27,380	$ 27,380
Armasight, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 7,600
Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired	$ 39,800
Product Technology [Member] | Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Patented Technology [Member] | DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			$ 21,500
Weighted average estimated useful life			7 years 6 months
Trade name | DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			$ 3,800
Weighted average estimated useful life			10 years
Trade name | Armasight, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life		4 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 5,200
Trade name | Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	7 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 13,200
Trade Names [Member] | Armasight, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life		3 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 1,000
In-process research and development | DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			$ 1,700
Backlog | DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			$ 380
Weighted average estimated useful life			1 year
Backlog | Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	1 year
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 2,300
Non-Competition Agreements | Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 1,000
Trade Secrets | Armasight, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life		6 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 1,400
Developed technology | Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 23,100
In-process research and development | DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			n/a

Business Acquisitions (Detail94

Business Acquisitions (Details textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 04, 2016	Jun. 28, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 06, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill					$ 801,406	$ 801,406	$ 596,316		$ 553,335
Goodwill, Acquired During Period						220,795	57,992
DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs				$ 97,500			97,496
Cash acquired							5,015
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net				24,800
Goodwill							60,494
Goodwill, Acquired During Period				58,000	2,500
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles					1,300
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Deferred Tax Assets					1,200
Net tangible assets				12,100			4,025
Identifiable intangible assets				$ 27,400
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles					27,380	27,380	27,380
ISD [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash acquired								$ 1,800
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net								1,600
Goodwill								$ 1,600
Armasight, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash acquired					2,804	2,804
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net			$ 36,000
Goodwill			31,100		32,994	32,994
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets			923
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent			2,778		1,855	1,855
Goodwill acquired from acquisitions					1,855	1,855
Total purchase price			43,468
Identifiable intangible assets			$ 7,600		7,600	7,600
Point Grey Research, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash acquired		$ 2,994
Goodwill		183,678
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent		2,438
Total purchase price		259,161
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 39,800
Prox Dynamics, AS [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price	$ 134,100
Goodwill [Member] | DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Tax Deduction Amortization Period				15 years
Trade name | DVTEL [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Tax Deduction Amortization Period				10 years
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles							$ 3,800
Other Assets [Member] | Prox Dynamics, AS [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets including goodwill					$ 122,800	$ 122,800

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 08, 2017	Feb. 05, 2015	Feb. 05, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Common stock authorized to be repurchased, number of shares				15,000,000	15,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock repurchased, value	$ 66,057,000	$ 123,193,000	$ 139,238,000
Common stock dividends, paid per share	$ 0.12	$ 0.11	$ 0.10
Common stock dividends, total cash paid	$ 65,920,000	$ 61,399,000	$ 56,513,000
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	$ 65,920,000	$ 61,399,000	$ 56,513,000
Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased, shares	2,132,000	4,169,000	4,243,000
Common stock repurchased, value	$ 24,222,000	$ 44,387,000	$ 122,851,000
Retained Earnings
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased, value	41,835,000	78,806,000	16,387,000
Common stock dividends, total cash paid	$ 65,920,000	$ 61,399,000	$ 56,513,000

Restructuring Costs (Details)

Restructuring Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									$ 1,431	$ 1,361	$ 16,383
Cost of Goods Sold
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses								$ 300	0	0	591
Selling General and Administrative Expense
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses	$ 200	$ 900	$ 100	$ 200	$ 300	$ 300	$ 500		664	1,361	16,383
Total COGS and SGA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									1,431	1,361	16,974
Surveillance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									107	226	5,232
Instruments
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									492	1,170	10,998
Security
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									0	0	0
OEM & Emerging Markets [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									65	(22)	170
Maritime [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									0	0	(90)
Detection
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									0	(13)	544
Corporate Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									0	$ 0	$ 120
Restructuring Plan [Domain] | Total COGS and SGA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									$ 664

Restructuring Costs (Details 2)

Restructuring Costs (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									$ 1,431	$ 1,361	$ 16,383
Cost of Goods Sold
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses								$ 300	0	0	591
Selling General and Administrative Expense
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses	$ 200	$ 900	$ 100	$ 200	$ 300	$ 300	$ 500		664	1,361	16,383
Total COGS and SGA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses									$ 1,431	$ 1,361	$ 16,974

Restructuring Costs (Details 3)

Restructuring Costs (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses	$ 1,431	$ 1,361	$ 16,383
Facility Exit [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning	321	1,485	3,670
Restructuring expenses	22	437	4,524
Utilization	(343)	(1,601)	(6,709)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending	0	321	1,485
Total COGS and SGA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning	3,777	12,426	21,861
Restructuring expenses	1,431	1,361	16,974
Utilization	(2,600)	(10,010)	(26,409)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending	1,841	3,777	12,426
Total COGS and SGA | Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning	3,456	10,941	18,191
Restructuring expenses	642	924	11,860
Utilization	(2,257)	(8,409)	(19,110)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending	1,841	3,456	10,941
Total COGS and SGA | Asset write-down [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning	0	0	0
Restructuring expenses	0	0	590
Utilization	0	0	(590)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending	0	$ 0	$ 0
Total COGS and SGA | Restructuring Plan [Domain]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses	$ 664

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - Dividends [Domain] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Mar. 10, 2017	Feb. 24, 2017	Feb. 09, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared			Feb. 9, 2017
Quarterly dividend, value per share			$ 0.15
Quarterly dividend, date to be paid	Mar. 10, 2017
Quarterly dividend, date of record		Feb. 24, 2017
Quarterly dividend, amount declared	$ 20.5

Quarterly Financial Data (Un100

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses														$ 1,431	$ 1,361	$ 16,383
Revenue	$ 474,738		$ 405,228		$ 402,729		$ 379,472		$ 437,647		$ 381,928	$ 392,975	$ 344,517	1,662,167	1,557,067	1,530,654
Gross profit	214,733		191,376		183,322		177,690	[1]	207,310	[2]	180,739	189,615	175,897	767,121	753,561	750,373
Net earnings	$ 61,500	[3]	$ 58,633	[3]	$ 45,368	[3]	$ 1,125	[3]	$ 70,204	[4]	$ 73,072	$ 50,500	$ 47,910	$ 166,626	$ 241,686	$ 200,261
Basic earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45		$ 0.43		$ 0.33		$ 0.01		$ 0.51		$ 0.52	$ 0.36	$ 0.34	$ 1.22	$ 1.73	$ 1.42
Diluted earnings per share:
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45		$ 0.43		$ 0.33		$ 0.01		$ 0.51		$ 0.52	$ 0.36	$ 0.34	$ 1.20	$ 1.72	$ 1.39
Selling General and Administrative Expense
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses	$ 200		$ 900		$ 100		$ 200		$ 300		$ 300	$ 500		$ 664	$ 1,361	$ 16,383
Cost of Goods Sold
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Restructuring expenses													$ 300	$ 0	$ 0	$ 591
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[2]	{F|ahBzfndlYmZpbGluZ3MtaHJkcmoLEgZYTUxEb2MiXlhCUkxEb2NHZW5JbmZvOjJhNzk3OGU5ZTE3ZDRkM2M5MmZlOGNkMTMxMjUxZjAxfFRleHRTZWxlY3Rpb246MEZFMDg3QzYyMjZGNUFFREMzRjMyMjg3RDY0NUFEM0EM}
[3]	2016 Net earnings includes restructuring expenses of $0.2 million reported in the first quarter, $0.1 million reported in the second quarter, $0.9 million reported in the third quarter and $0.2 million reported in the fourth quarter.
[4]	2015 Net earnings includes restructuring expenses