Kaman (KAMN) 10-Q 3 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'KAMAN CORPORATION	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000054381	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	26-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	27,116,160

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$9,760	$10,384
Accounts receivable, net	259,035	205,873
Inventories	379,301	390,495
Deferred income taxes	25,953	30,128
Income Tax Refunds Receivable	3,329	2,297
Other current assets	28,564	26,028
Total current assets	705,942	665,205
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $181,431 and $167,282 respectively	150,025	148,508
Goodwill	242,154	203,923
Other intangibles assets, net	98,645	89,449
Deferred income taxes	6,274	10,287
Other assets	23,262	23,259
Total assets	1,226,302	1,140,631
Current liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	0	559
Current portion of long-term debt	12,500	10,000
Accounts payable – trade	119,873	119,482
Accrued salaries and wages	43,501	33,677
Advances on contracts	1,351	9,470
Other accruals and payables	53,387	54,095
Income taxes payable	0	673
Total current liabilities	230,612	227,956
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	325,526	264,655
Deferred income taxes	3,691	3,855
Underfunded pension	75,495	85,835
Other long-term liabilities	43,241	47,038
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $1 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, voting, 27,479,386 and 27,189,922 shares issued, respectively	27,479	27,190
Additional paid-in capital	143,615	133,517
Retained earnings	469,262	439,441
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-83,346	-81,121
Less 381,250 and 330,487 shares of common stock, respectively, held in treasury, at cost	-9,273	-7,735
Total shareholders’ equity	547,737	511,292
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$1,226,302	$1,140,631

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Depreciation	$181,431	$167,282
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,479,386	27,189,922
Common Stock held in treasury, at cost (in shares)	381,250	330,487

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$462,332	$423,663	$1,335,353	$1,243,463
Cost of sales	332,827	304,806	961,653	893,083
Gross profit	129,505	118,857	373,700	350,380
Selling, general and administrative expenses	103,502	87,436	298,853	274,075
Net loss on sale of assets	47	0	215	100
Operating income	25,956	31,421	74,632	76,205
Interest expense, net	3,444	3,113	10,060	9,344
Other expense (income), net	252	-21	541	368
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	22,260	28,329	64,031	66,493
Income tax expense	7,387	9,634	21,507	22,752
Earnings from continuing operations	14,873	18,695	42,524	43,741
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	-94	64	285	64
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	420	0	420
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-94	484	285	484
Net earnings	$14,779	$19,179	$42,809	$44,225
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$0.55	$0.70	$1.57	$1.64
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations	$0	$0	$0.01	$0
Basic earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations	$0	$0.02	$0	$0.02
Basic earnings per share	$0.55	$0.72	$1.58	$1.66
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$0.53	$0.68	$1.53	$1.61
Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations	$0	$0	$0.01	$0
Diluted earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations	$0	$0.02	$0	$0.02
Diluted earnings per share	$0.53	$0.70	$1.54	$1.63
Average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	27,113	26,770	27,025	26,721
Diluted (in shares)	27,862	27,233	27,766	27,062
Dividends declared per share	$0.16	$0.16	$0.48	$0.48

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014		Sep. 27, 2013		Sep. 26, 2014		Sep. 27, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net earnings	$14,779		$19,179		$42,809		$44,225
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-5,766		4,669		-4,306		-89
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $6 and $(74), and $47 and $(36), respectively	6	[1]	-119	[1]	75	[1]	-58	[1]
Change in pension and post-retirement benefit plan liabilities, net of tax expense of $405 and $941, and $1,215 and $2,751, respectively	669	[2]	1,536	[2]	2,006	[2]	4,487	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-5,091		6,086		-2,225		4,340
Comprehensive Income	$9,688		$25,265		$40,584		$48,565
[1]	See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.
[2]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. (See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Tax expense (benefit) for the change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$6	($74)	$47	($36)
Tax expense for pension plan adjustments	$405	$941	$1,215	$2,751

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Earnings from continuing operations	$42,524	$43,741
Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	26,537	23,720
Accretion of convertible notes discount	1,439	1,366
Provision for doubtful accounts	499	1,100
Net loss on sale of assets	215	100
Net loss on derivative instruments	615	130
Stock compensation expense	4,307	4,056
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements	-766	-350
Deferred income taxes	7,837	2,619
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions/divestures:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-41,127	-33,354
Inventories	19,558	-14,269
Income tax refunds receivable	-1,037	-3,099
Other current assets	-1,598	-1,371
Accounts payable-trade	-6,009	-4,814
Accrued Contract losses	-1,613	-565
Advances on contracts	-8,119	16,063
Other accruals and payables	11,986	-1,762
Income taxes payable	-712	-2,263
Pension liabilities	-8,430	-5,208
Other long-term liabilities	-2,637	-1,016
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations	43,469	24,824
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	285	484
Net cash used in operating activities	43,754	25,308
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sale of assets	41	111
Expenditures for property, plant & equipment	-22,188	-30,118
Acquisition of businesses	-77,018	-19,934
Other, net	-1,205	-642
Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	-100,370	-50,583
Cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	0	0
Cash used in investing activities	-100,370	-50,583
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net borrowings under revolving credit agreements	66,978	30,116
Debt repayment	-5,000	-5,000
Net change in book overdraft	1,893	3,617
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock awards	5,387	4,002
Purchase of treasury shares	-845	-644
Dividends paid	-12,950	-12,806
Other	0	-51
Windfall tax benefit	766	350
Cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations	56,229	19,584
Cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations	0	0
Cash provided by financing activities	56,229	19,584
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-387	-5,691
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-237	150
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,384	16,593
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$9,760	$11,052

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The December 31, 2013, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts have been derived from the previously audited Consolidated Balance Sheet of Kaman Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the condensed financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this report. The statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of trends or of results to be expected for the entire year.
	The Company has a calendar year-end; however, its first three fiscal quarters follow a 13-week convention, with each quarter ending on a Friday. The third quarter for 2014 and 2013 ended on September 26, 2014, and September 27, 2013, respectively.

Recent_Accounting_Standards

Recent Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Standards	'
	RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (ASC Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern." The new standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASC Topic 718) - Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide that a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period." The objective of this standard update is to eliminate inconsistent practices with regards to the accounting treatment of share-based payment awards. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect these changes to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606)." The objective of this standard update is to remove inconsistent practices with regards to revenue recognition between US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The standard intends to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016; early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." This standard update requires that a disposal representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's financial results or a business activity classified as held for sale should be reported as discontinued operations. The standard also expands the disclosures for discontinued operations and requires new disclosures related to individually material disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company does not expect these changes to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, "Income Taxes ("ASC Topic 740") - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." The objective is to end some inconsistent practices with regard to the presentation on the balance sheet of unrecognized tax benefits.The update was effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this standard beginning January 1, 2014. There was no material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 26, 2014.
	2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CONTINUED)
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, "Foreign Currency Matters ("ASC Topic 830") - Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity." The objective is to resolve the diversity in practice with regard to whether ASC Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation - Overall or ASC Subtopic 830-30 Foreign Currency Matters - Translation of Financial Statements, applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business (other than a sale of in substance real estate or conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights) within a foreign entity. The update was effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company has adopted this standard beginning January 1, 2014. There was no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 26, 2014.

Discontinued_Operations_Notes

Discontinued Operations (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	On December 31, 2012, the Company sold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Distribution segment's Canadian operations. As a result, the Company has reported the results of operations and financial position of this component as discontinued operations within the condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. For the three months and nine months ended September 26, 2014, the Company recorded earnings (losses) from discontinued operations of $(0.1) million and $0.3 million, respectively. The activity through the nine months ended September 26, 2014, is primarily related to a pension settlement that resulted from the 2012 disposal of the Distribution segment's Canadian operations. For the three months and nine months ended September 27, 2013, the Company recorded earnings from discontinued operations of $0.5 million, which was due to a favorable tax result versus previous estimates and other activity related to the settlement of the closing balance sheet.

Acquisitions_Notes

Acquisitions (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	ACQUISITIONS
	On April 25, 2014, the Company acquired specific assets of B.W. Rogers Company and certain affiliated entities ("B.W. Rogers"). Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, B.W. Rogers operated from twenty-one locations in seven states from the Northeast to the Midwest. The acquisition of B.W. Rogers expands the Company's capabilities in both the fluid power and automation and motion control product areas.
	This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:
	In thousands
	Cash	$	11
	Accounts receivable	13,332
	Inventories	9,614
	Property, plant and equipment	850
	Other tangible assets	784
	Goodwill	37,804
	Other intangible assets	16,870
	Liabilities	(7,367		)
	Total of net assets acquired	71,898
	Less cash received	(11		)
	Total consideration	$	71,887
	The Company has paid $71.3 million of the total consideration of $71.9 million for this acquisition through September 26, 2014. The goodwill associated with B.W. Rogers is tax deductible and is the result of expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquired business with the Company's operations and intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition, such as an assembled workforce. Included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is $28.5 million and $47.3 million of revenue from this acquisition for the three months and nine months ended September 26, 2014.
	4. ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
	The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets, which totaled $16.9 million and consisted of customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names, were determined using the income approach. Specifically, the discounted cash flows method was utilized for customer relationships and non-compete agreements and the relief-from-royalty method was utilized for the trade names. The fair value of the customer relationships ($14.9 million) is broken out into two asset categories, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of 11 and 18 years; the fair value of the non-compete agreements ($1.1 million) is being amortized over periods ranging from 1.5 to 3 years; and the fair value of the trade names ($0.9 million) is being amortized over a period of 8 years, the estimated lives of the assets.
	During the third quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a smaller distribution business that operates in the fluid power market as a Parker distributor of pneumatic and hydraulic fluid power and motion control systems. Proforma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of the acquisition were not material.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	'
	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
	Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
		September 26,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Trade receivables	$	159,702		$	125,092
	U.S. Government contracts:
	Billed	14,717			14,364
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	4,287			6,340
	Commercial and other government contracts:
	Billed	55,472			63,051
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	29,006			853
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,149		)	(3,827		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	259,035		$	205,873
	Accounts receivable, net includes amounts for matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		September 26,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	—		$	1,021
	Total	$	—		$	1,021

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The Company uses a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
	•	Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value:
			September 26, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
	In thousands
	Long-term debt:
	Level 1		$	108,531		$	147,550		$	107,093		$	147,822
	Level 2		229,495			217,924			167,562			155,473
	Total		$	338,026		$	365,474		$	274,655		$	303,295
	The above fair values were computed based on quoted market prices (Level 1) and discounted future cash flows (Level 2 observable inputs), as applicable. Differences from carrying values are attributable to interest rate changes subsequent to when the transaction occurred. The increase in fair value of the long-term debt is driven by increased borrowings under the Company's Revolving Credit Facility.
	The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents, Accounts receivable, net, Notes payable, and Accounts payable - trade approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The table below segregates all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine their fair value at the measurement date:
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		September 26,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2014
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	38		$	—		$	38		$	—
	Total assets	$	38		$	—		$	38		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	435		$	—		$	435		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	435		$	—		$	435		$	—
	6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements - continued
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		December 31,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2013
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Total assets	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—
	The Company’s derivative instruments are foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, the derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and have been included in other current assets, other assets, other accruals and payables and other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 26, 2014, and December 31, 2013. Based on the continued ability to trade and enter into forward contracts, we consider the markets for our fair value instruments to be active.
	The Company evaluated the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these derivative instruments and determined that as of September 26, 2014, such credit risks have not had an adverse impact on the fair value of these instruments.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Derivatives Overview
	The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including market risks relating to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are subsequently included in earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
	The Company holds forward exchange contracts designed to hedge forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies and to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company’s earnings and cash flows. Some of these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. The Company will include in earnings amounts currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income upon recognition of cost of sales related to the underlying transaction. There was $0.2 million and $0.5 million of expense reclassified from other comprehensive income during the three months and nine months ended September 26, 2014, respectively. No material amounts were reclassified to expense from other comprehensive income during the three months and nine months ended September 27, 2013. Over the next twelve months, the expense related to cash flow hedges expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income is $0.6 million.
	7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
	The Term Loan Facility of the Company's Credit Agreement (“Term Loan”) contains floating rate obligations and is subject to interest rate fluctuations. During 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements for the purposes of hedging the eight quarterly variable-rate interest payments under its Term Loan due in 2014 and 2015. These interest rate swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges and are intended to manage interest rate risk associated with the Company’s variable rate borrowings and minimize the impact on the Company’s earnings and cash flows of interest rate fluctuations attributable to changes in LIBOR rates.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company entered into forward exchange contracts designed to hedge forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies and to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company's earnings and cash flows. These contracts were entered into as a result of forecasted foreign currency transactions associated with the New Zealand contract to deliver ten SH-2G(I) aircraft and were designated as cash flow hedges. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company dedesignated these forward contracts, due to a change in the timing of payments.
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	September 26,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other liabilities / Other long-term liabilities	$	234	$	276	$86,250 / $90,000
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other liabilities	150		—		2,626 / 0 AUD
	Total		$	384	$	276
	The loss recognized in other comprehensive income for derivatives designated as hedge instruments was $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the three months and nine months ended September 26, 2014. The loss recognized in other comprehensive income for derivatives designated as hedge instruments was $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the three months and nine months ended September 27, 2013.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	September 26,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	38	$	127	$1,212 / $2,349
	Total		$	38	$	127
	Derivative Liabilities
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other liabilities	51		—		£650 / £0
	Total		$	51	$	—
	The amounts of the gain or (loss) recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives not designated as hedge instruments were not material for the three months and nine months ended September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	INVENTORIES
	Inventories consist of the following:
		September 26,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Merchandise for resale	$	152,348	$	152,194
	Raw materials	22,600		20,609
	Contracts and other work in process	192,999		205,220
	Finished goods (including certain general stock materials)	11,354		12,472
	Total	$	379,301	$	390,495
	Inventories include amounts associated with matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		September 26,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	9,308	$	11,581
	Total	$	9,308	$	11,581
	The reduction in this balance is due to the settlement of a claim related to a commercial composite structures program.
	K-MAX® inventory of $18.0 million and $17.0 million as of September 26, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively, is included in contracts and other work in process inventory and finished goods. Management believes that a significant portion of this K-MAX® inventory will be sold after September 26, 2015, based upon the anticipation of supporting the fleet for the foreseeable future.
	At September 26, 2014, and December 31, 2013, $30.7 million and $43.8 million, respectively, of SH-2G(I), formerly SH-2G(A), inventory was included on the Company's balance sheet in contracts and other work in process inventory. On May 8, 2013, the Company announced that it had entered into a $120.6 million contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence for the sale of ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support. Although a substantial portion of the SH-2G(I) inventory will be used in the performance of this contract, management believes that $6.5 million of the SH-2G(I) inventory will be sold after September 26, 2015, based upon the time needed to prepare the aircraft for sale and the requirements of our customer.
	Long-term Contracts
	For long-term aerospace contracts, the Company generally recognizes revenue and cost based on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, which allows for recognition of revenue as work on a contract progresses. The Company recognizes revenues and cost based on either (1) the cost-to-cost method, in which sales and profit are recorded based upon the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs to complete the contract, or (2) the units-of-delivery method, in which sales are recognized as deliveries are made and cost of sales is computed on the basis of the estimated ratio of total cost to total sales.
	8. INVENTORIES (CONTINUED)
	Long-term Contracts - continued
	Revenue and cost estimates for all significant long-term contracts for which revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting are reviewed and reassessed quarterly. Based upon these reviews, the Company records the effects of adjustments in profit estimates each period. If at any time the Company determines that in the case of a particular contract total costs will exceed total contract revenue, the Company will record a provision for the entire anticipated contract loss at that time. There was a net increase to the Company's operating income from changes in contract estimates of $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2014. The increases were primarily a result of improved performance on the New Zealand SH-2G(I) program, the Joint Programmable Fuze ("JPF") program and a mix of other legacy fuze and composite programs. These improvements were slightly offset by cost growth on the Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter program and Boeing A-10 program. There was a net decrease to the Company's operating income from changes in contract estimates of $0.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2013. These decreases were a result of cost growth due to revised estimates in various programs, including the Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter program, Bell helicopter offload program and a fuze program.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
	Goodwill
	The following table sets forth the change in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment and for the Company:
		Distribution				Aerospace				Total
	In thousands
	Gross balance at December 31, 2013	$	105,637			$	114,538			$	220,175
	Accumulated impairment	—				(16,252		)		(16,252		)
	Net balance at December 31, 2013	105,637				98,286				203,923
	Additions	38,034				1,434				39,468
	Impairments	—				—				—
	Foreign currency translation	(21		)		(1,216		)		(1,237		)
	Ending balance at September 26, 2014	$	143,650			$	98,504			$	242,154
	Additions to goodwill for the Company's Distribution segment relate to the acquisitions completed during 2014, as set forth in Note 4, Acquisitions. Additions to goodwill for the Company's Aerospace segment relate to an earnout payment associated with a previous acquisition.
	Other intangible assets consisted of:
				At September 26,								At December 31,
				2014								2013
		Amortization		Gross				Accumulated				Gross		Accumulated
		Period		Amount				Amortization				Amount		Amortization
	In thousands
	Customer lists / relationships	6-21 years		$	124,818			$	(30,249	)		$	109,790	$	(23,647	)
	Trademarks / trade names	3-8 years		3,564				(1,970		)		2,695		(1,594		)
	Non-compete agreements and other	1-9 years		7,206				(4,844		)		6,133		(4,055		)
	Patents	17 years		523				(403		)		523		(396		)
	Total			$	136,111			$	(37,466	)		$	119,141	$	(29,692	)
	The changes in other intangible assets are attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the acquisitions completed during 2014.

Pension_Plan

Pension Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension Plans	'
	PENSION PLANS
	Components of net pension cost for the Qualified Pension Plan and Supplemental Employees’ Retirement Plan ("SERP") are as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		September 26,			September 27,			September 26,		September 27,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	2,940		$	3,587		$	64	$	85
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	7,208			6,399			85		78
	Expected return on plan assets	(10,262		)	(10,337		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	23			25			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	1,028			2,387			23		65
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		—
	Net pension cost	$	937		$	2,061		$	172	$	228
		For the Nine Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		September 26,			September 27,			September 26,		September 27,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	8,820		$	10,761		$	192	$	255
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	21,625			19,197			256		233
	Expected return on plan assets	(30,785		)	(31,011		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	68			75			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	3,085			6,968			68		195
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		277
	Net pension cost	$	2,813		$	5,990		$	516	$	960
	The following tables show the amounts of contributions made to the Qualified Pension Plan and SERP during each period and the additional contributions the Company expects to make during the remainder of 2014:
	Year-to-date contributions:
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		As of September 26, 2014			As of December 31, 2013			As of September 26, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	In thousands
	Year-to-date contributions	$	10,000		$	10,000		$	686	$	2,291
	Expected additional contributions in 2014:
		Qualified Pension Plan			SERP
	In thousands
	Expected additional contributions	$	—		$	133

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Matters
	Wichita Matter
	As previously disclosed, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas issued a grand jury subpoena in 2011 to Plastic Fabricating Company, Inc. (“PlasticFab”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company now known as Kaman Composites - Wichita, Inc., regarding a government investigation of record keeping associated with the manufacture of certain composite parts at PlasticFab's facility located in Wichita, Kansas. On October 21, 2014, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas and PlasticFab entered into a civil settlement agreement, pursuant to which PlasticFab, without admitting any wrongdoing, agreed to pay $0.5 million, all of which was previously accrued. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas has also informed PlasticFab that it is closing its files and will conduct no further investigation relating to this matter.
	Other Matters
	Revenue Sharing Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia
	Pursuant to the terms of the revenue sharing agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia, the Company was required to share proceeds from the resale of the SH-2G(I) inventory with them. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company settled the revenue sharing agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia and made a final payment of $5.3 million. As a result, no further revenue sharing payments will be due to the Commonwealth of Australia as the Company sells the remainder of the SH-2G(I) inventory. Over the course of the revenue sharing agreement, net of the benefits derived from our hedging arrangements, the Company paid approximately $32.1 million to the Commonwealth of Australia.
	Moosup
	During the third quarter of 2014, the Company sold its former manufacturing facility in Moosup, Connecticut to TD Development, LLC. In connection with the sale, the Company will contribute $4.0 million in cash to an escrow account over a four-year period to fund environmental remediation work that is expected to be performed on the site. The purchase and sale agreement provides that TD Development is responsible for any costs in excess of the $4.0 million contributed by the Company. The first of these payments, $0.8 million, was made at the closing of the transaction. The Company currently has $3.2 million accrued that represents the remainder due to TD Development.
	New Hartford
	In connection with the sale of the Company’s Music segment in 2007, the Company assumed responsibility for meeting certain requirements of the Connecticut Transfer Act (the “Transfer Act”) that applied to the transfer of the New Hartford, Connecticut, facility leased by that segment for guitar manufacturing purposes (“Ovation”). Under the Transfer Act, those responsibilities essentially consist of assessing the site's environmental conditions and remediating environmental impairments, if any, caused by Ovation's operations prior to the sale. The site is a multi-tenant industrial park, in which Ovation and other unrelated entities lease space. The environmental assessment process, which began in 2008, has been completed.
	The Company's estimate of its portion of the cost to assess the environmental conditions and remediate this site is $2.2 million, unchanged from the previously reported estimate, all of which has been accrued. The total amount paid to date in connection with these environmental remediation activities is $0.5 million. A portion ($0.6 million) of the accrual related to this property is included in other accruals and payables and the balance is included in other long-term liabilities. The remaining balance of the accrual reflects the total anticipated cost of completing these environmental remediation activities. Although it is reasonably possible that additional costs will be paid in connection with the resolution of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of such additional costs, if any, at this time.
	11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
	Other Matters - continued
	Bloomfield
	In connection with the Company’s 2008 purchase of the portion of the Bloomfield campus that a Company subsidiary had leased from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the Company assumed responsibility for environmental remediation at the facility as may be required under the Transfer Act and continues the effort to define the scope of the remediation that will be required by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. The assumed environmental liability of $10.3 million, all of which has been accrued, was determined by taking the undiscounted estimated remediation liability of $20.8 million and discounting it at a rate of 8%. This remediation process will take many years to complete. The total amount paid to date in connection with these environmental remediation activities is $8.5 million. At September 26, 2014, the Company has $5.8 million accrued for this environmental matter. A portion ($1.6 million) of the accrual related to this property is included in other accruals and payables, and the balance ($4.2 million) is included in other long-term liabilities. Although it is reasonably possible that additional costs will be paid in connection with the resolution of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of such additional costs, if any, at this time.
	United Kingdom
	In connection with the purchase of the Company's U.K. composites business operations, the Company accrued £1.6 million for environmental compliance at the acquired facilities. The remaining balance of the accrual at September 26, 2014, was £0.3 million, with £1.1 million having been paid to date in connection with these environmental remediation activities and £0.2 million released to income in 2011. The U.S. dollar equivalent of the remaining environmental compliance liability as of September 26, 2014, is $0.5 million, which is included in other accruals and payables. The Company continues to assess the work that may be required, which may result in a change to this accrual. Although it is reasonably possible that additional costs will be paid in connection with the resolution of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of such additional costs, if any, at this time.
	Other Environmental Matters
	The Company has been notified by the Environmental Protection Agency that it is a potentially responsible party ("PRP") at a Superfund Site. At September 26, 2014, the Company had no amount accrued for this matter, as it is unable to estimate the amount of costs, if any, that might be incurred in connection with the remediation of this site. In making this determination, the Company considered all available information related to the site; specifically, the continued identification of PRPs and the inability to determine the proportion of total responsibility attributable to each PRP at this time. As more information is received, the Company will reassess its ability to estimate its portion of the cost for remediation, taking into consideration the financial resources of other PRPs involved in the site, their proportionate share of the total responsibility for waste at the site, the existence of insurance and the financial viability of the insurer.

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh

Computation of Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]	'
Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The computation of basic earnings per share is based on net earnings divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for each period. The computation of diluted earnings per share reflects the common stock equivalency of dilutive options granted to employees under the Company's stock incentive plan and shares issuable on redemption of its Convertible Notes.
		For the Three Months Ended					For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26,			September 27,		September 26,		September 27,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	In thousands, except per share amounts
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	14,873		$	18,695	$	42,524	$	43,741
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	(94		)	64		285		64
	Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	—			420		—		420
	Net earnings	$	14,779		$	19,179	$	42,809	$	44,225
	Basic:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,113			26,770		27,025		26,721
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.55		$	0.7	$	1.57	$	1.64
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	—			—		0.01		—
	Earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations	—			0.02		—		0.02
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.55		$	0.72	$	1.58	$	1.66
	Diluted:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,113			26,770		27,025		26,721
	Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of dilutive stock options	142			164		152		156
	Weighted average shares issuable on redemption of convertible notes	607			299		589		185
	Total	27,862			27,233		27,766		27,062
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.53		$	0.68	$	1.53	$	1.61
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	—			—		0.01		—
	Earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations	—			0.02		—		0.02
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.53		$	0.7	$	1.54	$	1.63
	Equity awards
	For the three and nine months ended September 26, 2014, respectively, 310,192 and 356,841 shares issuable under equity awards granted to employees were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive based on the average stock price during the period. For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2013, respectively, 405,505 and 429,541 shares issuable under equity awards granted to employees were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive based on the average stock price during the period.
	Convertible Notes
	In November 2010, the Company issued Convertible Notes due on November 15, 2017, in the aggregate principal amount of $115.0 million. The Convertible Notes will mature on November 15, 2017, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased by the Company or converted. Upon conversion, the Convertible Notes require net share settlement, where the aggregate principal amount of the notes will be paid in cash and remaining amounts due, if any, will be settled in cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company's election.
	12. COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE (CONTINUED)
	For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2014, and September 27, 2013, shares issuable under the Convertible Notes that were dilutive during the period were included in the calculation of earnings per share as the conversion price for the Convertible Notes was less than the average share price of the Company's stock.
	Warrants
	Excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months and nine months ended September 26, 2014, are 3,412,339 and 3,410,690, respectively, shares issuable under the warrants sold in connection with the Company’s convertible note offering as they would be anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 27, 2013, respectively, 3,405,585 and 3,403,710, shares issuable under the warrants sold in connection with the Company’s convertible note offering were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as they would be anti-dilutive.

ShareBased_Arrangements

Share-Based Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Share-based Arrangements with Employees and Nonemployees [Abstract]	'
Share-based Arrangements	'
	SHARE-BASED ARRANGEMENTS
	General
	The Company accounts for stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance shares as equity awards and measures the cost of all share-based payments, including stock options, at fair value on the grant date and recognizes this cost in the statement of operations. The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan which is accounted for as a liability award.
	Compensation expense for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards. Share-based compensation expense recorded for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2014, was $1.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Share-based compensation expense recorded for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2013, was $1.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company issued stock awards totaling 10,934 shares with market and performance based conditions. The Company measured the cost of these awards based on their fair value at the date of grant to the extent of the probable number of shares to be earned upon vesting. Amortization of this cost will be recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Throughout the course of the requisite service period, the Company will monitor the level of achievement compared to the target and adjust the number of shares expected to be earned, and the related compensation expense recorded thereafter, to reflect the updated most probable outcome. Compensation expense for these awards for the three months and nine months ended September 26, 2014, was not material.
	Stock option activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014							September 26, 2014
		Options			Weighted - average				Options		Weighted - average
					exercise price						exercise price
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	932,812			$	31.05			891,932		$	28.18
	Granted	—			$	—			186,885		$	39.22
	Exercised	(4,086	)		$	13.97			(144,146	)	$	23.28
	Forfeited or expired	(5,536	)		$	36.77			(11,481	)	$	35.68
	Options outstanding at September 26, 2014	923,190			$	31.09			923,190		$	31.09
	13. SHARE-BASED ARRANGEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The following table indicates the weighted-average assumptions used in estimating fair value:
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26,				September 27,
		2014				2013
	Expected option term (years)	5.1				5.2
	Expected volatility	37.5		%		45.5		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%		0.9		%
	Expected dividend yield	1.7		%		2		%
	Per share fair value of options granted	$	11.6			$	12.38
	There were no options granted for the three-month periods ended September 26, 2014, and September 27, 2013.
	Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014							September 26, 2014
		Restricted  Stock			Weighted-				Restricted  Stock		Weighted-
					average grant						average grant
					date fair value						date fair value
	Restricted Stock outstanding at beginning of period	208,438			$	36.27			188,647		$	31.83
	Granted	—			$	—			111,071		$	39.89
	Vested	(100	)		$	23.75			(84,354	)	$	31.63
	Forfeited or expired	(9,765	)		$	36.58			(16,791	)	$	33.49
	Restricted Stock outstanding at September 26, 2014	198,573			$	36.28			198,573		$	36.28

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa

Segment and Geographic Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment and Geographic Information	'
	SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	The Company is organized based upon the nature of its products and services, and is composed of two operating segments each overseen by a segment manager.  These segments are reflective of how the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is its Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), reviews operating results for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company has not aggregated operating segments for purposes of identifying reportable segments.
	The Distribution segment is a leading power transmission, motion control, and fluid power industrial distributor with operations throughout the United States and Mexico. Distribution conducts business in the mechanical power transmission and bearings, electrical, automation and control, and fluid power product platforms and provides total solutions from system design and integration to machine parts and value-added services to North America's manufacturing industry.
	The Aerospace segment produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; support for the Company’s SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX® medium-to-heavy lift helicopters; and engineering services.
	14. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
	Summarized financial information by business segment is as follows:
			For the Three Months Ended							For the Nine Months Ended
	In thousands		September 26,				September 27,			September 26,			September 27,
			2014				2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Distribution		$	308,571			$	272,951		$	877,627		$	800,352
	Aerospace		153,761				150,712			457,726			443,111
	Net sales		$	462,332			$	423,663		$	1,335,353		$	1,243,463
	Operating income:
	Distribution		$	13,272			$	14,675		$	39,826		$	32,974
	Aerospace		26,813				27,638			75,515			77,227
	Net loss on sale of assets		(47		)		—			(215		)	(100		)
	Corporate expense		(14,082		)		(10,892		)	(40,494		)	(33,896		)
	Operating income from continuing operations		25,956				31,421			74,632			76,205
	Interest expense, net		3,444				3,113			10,060			9,344
	Other expense (income), net		252				(21		)	541			368
	Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations		22,260				28,329			64,031			66,493
	Income tax expense		7,387				9,634			21,507			22,752
	Earnings from continuing operations		$	14,873			$	18,695		$	42,524		$	43,741
	The Company's Distribution segment acquired the operating assets of B.W. Rogers during the second quarter of 2014. This acquisition resulted in an increase to the segment's total assets, as compared to December 31, 2013.
		September 26, 2014				31-Dec-13
	In thousands
	Identifiable assets:
	Distribution	$	573,680			$	480,117
	Aerospace	560,059				557,831
	Corporate	92,563				102,683
	Total assets	$	1,226,302			$	1,140,631

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 26, 2014, and September 27, 2013, respectively, were as follows:
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013
	In thousands
	Beginning balance	$	511,292		$	420,193
	Comprehensive income	40,584			48,565
	Dividends declared	(12,988		)	(12,834		)
	Employee stock plans and related tax benefit	5,387			4,002
	Purchase of treasury shares	(845		)	(644		)
	Share-based compensation expense	4,307			4,056
	Ending balance	$	547,737		$	463,338
	15. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are shown below:
		For the Three Months Ended
		September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(12,759	)	$	(21,273	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	(5,766		)	4,669
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(5,766		)	4,669
	Ending balance	$	(18,525	)	$	(16,604	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(64,980		)	(101,600		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $9 and $10, respectively	14			15
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $396 and $931, respectively	655			1,521
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	669			1,536
	Ending balance	$	(64,311	)	$	(100,064	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(516		)	(463		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $62 and $98, respectively	(104		)	(158		)
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $68 and $24, respectively	110			39
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	6			(119		)
	Ending balance	$	(510	)	$	(582	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(83,346	)	$	(117,250	)
	15. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(14,219	)	$	(16,515	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	(4,306		)	(89		)
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(4,306		)	(89		)
	Ending balance	$	(18,525	)	$	(16,604	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(66,317		)	(104,551		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $26 and $30, respectively	42			45
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $1,189 and $2,721, respectively	1,964			4,442
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	2,006			4,487
	Ending balance	$	(64,311	)	$	(100,064	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(585		)	(524		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $140 and $71, respectively	(233		)	(114		)
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $187 and $35, respectively	308			56
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	75			(58		)
	Ending balance	$	(510	)	$	(582	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(83,346	)	$	(117,250	)
	(a) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.
	(See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)
(b) See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 26,		September 27,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Effective Income Tax Rate	33.2	%	34	%	33.6	%	34.2	%
	The effective income tax rate represents the combined federal, state and foreign tax effects attributable to pretax earnings for the year. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2014, as compared to the rates for the same periods in the prior year is primarily due to a return to provision adjustment recorded during the third quarter.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements. Other than the item noted below, no material subsequent events were identified that required disclosure.
	On October 21, 2014, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas and PlasticFab entered into a civil settlement agreement regarding the government's investigation of record keeping associated with the manufacture of certain composite parts at PlasticFab's facility located in Wichita, Kansas. See Note 11, Commitment and Contingencies for additional information.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The December 31, 2013, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts have been derived from the previously audited Consolidated Balance Sheet of Kaman Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). In the opinion of management, the condensed financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this report. The statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of trends or of results to be expected for the entire year.
	The Company has a calendar year-end; however, its first three fiscal quarters follow a 13-week convention, with each quarter ending on a Friday. The third quarter for 2014 and 2013 ended on September 26, 2014, and September 27, 2013, respectively.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:
	In thousands
	Cash	$	11
	Accounts receivable	13,332
	Inventories	9,614
	Property, plant and equipment	850
	Other tangible assets	784
	Goodwill	37,804
	Other intangible assets	16,870
	Liabilities	(7,367		)
	Total of net assets acquired	71,898
	Less cash received	(11		)
	Total consideration	$	71,887

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts Receivable, Net	'
	Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:
		September 26,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Trade receivables	$	159,702		$	125,092
	U.S. Government contracts:
	Billed	14,717			14,364
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	4,287			6,340
	Commercial and other government contracts:
	Billed	55,472			63,051
	Costs and accrued profit – not billed	29,006			853
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,149		)	(3,827		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	259,035		$	205,873
Accounts Receivable due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated cost	'
	Accounts receivable, net includes amounts for matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		September 26,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	—		$	1,021
	Total	$	—		$	1,021

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments That Are Not Carried At Fair Value	'
	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value:
			September 26, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
	In thousands
	Long-term debt:
	Level 1		$	108,531		$	147,550		$	107,093		$	147,822
	Level 2		229,495			217,924			167,562			155,473
	Total		$	338,026		$	365,474		$	274,655		$	303,295
Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The table below segregates all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine their fair value at the measurement date:
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		September 26,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2014
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	38		$	—		$	38		$	—
	Total assets	$	38		$	—		$	38		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	435		$	—		$	435		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	435		$	—		$	435		$	—
	6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements - continued
		Total Carrying			Quoted prices in			Significant other			Significant
		Value at			active markets			observable			unobservable
					(Level 1)			inputs			inputs
		December 31,						(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		2013
	In thousands
	Derivative instruments	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Total assets	$	127		$	—		$	127		$	—
	Derivative instruments	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—
	Total liabilities	$	276		$	—		$	276		$	—

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Derivatives	'
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	September 26,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other liabilities / Other long-term liabilities	$	234	$	276	$86,250 / $90,000
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other liabilities	150		—		2,626 / 0 AUD
	Total		$	384	$	276
Amount and Location of Derivatives	'
	The following table shows the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
			Fair Value
		Balance Sheet	September 26,		December 31,		Notional
		Location	2014		2013		Amount
	In thousands
	Derivative Assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	38	$	127	$1,212 / $2,349
	Total		$	38	$	127
	Derivative Liabilities
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other liabilities	51		—		£650 / £0
	Total		$	51	$	—

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory	'
	Inventories consist of the following:
		September 26,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Merchandise for resale	$	152,348	$	152,194
	Raw materials	22,600		20,609
	Contracts and other work in process	192,999		205,220
	Finished goods (including certain general stock materials)	11,354		12,472
	Total	$	379,301	$	390,495
Inventory due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	'
	Inventories include amounts associated with matters such as contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs. These amounts are as follows:
		September 26,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	In thousands
	Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$	9,308	$	11,581
	Total	$	9,308	$	11,581

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The following table sets forth the change in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment and for the Company:
		Distribution				Aerospace				Total
	In thousands
	Gross balance at December 31, 2013	$	105,637			$	114,538			$	220,175
	Accumulated impairment	—				(16,252		)		(16,252		)
	Net balance at December 31, 2013	105,637				98,286				203,923
	Additions	38,034				1,434				39,468
	Impairments	—				—				—
	Foreign currency translation	(21		)		(1,216		)		(1,237		)
	Ending balance at September 26, 2014	$	143,650			$	98,504			$	242,154
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	Other intangible assets consisted of:
				At September 26,								At December 31,
				2014								2013
		Amortization		Gross				Accumulated				Gross		Accumulated
		Period		Amount				Amortization				Amount		Amortization
	In thousands
	Customer lists / relationships	6-21 years		$	124,818			$	(30,249	)		$	109,790	$	(23,647	)
	Trademarks / trade names	3-8 years		3,564				(1,970		)		2,695		(1,594		)
	Non-compete agreements and other	1-9 years		7,206				(4,844		)		6,133		(4,055		)
	Patents	17 years		523				(403		)		523		(396		)
	Total			$	136,111			$	(37,466	)		$	119,141	$	(29,692	)

Pension_Plan_Tables

Pension Plan (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	Components of net pension cost for the Qualified Pension Plan and Supplemental Employees’ Retirement Plan ("SERP") are as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		September 26,			September 27,			September 26,		September 27,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	2,940		$	3,587		$	64	$	85
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	7,208			6,399			85		78
	Expected return on plan assets	(10,262		)	(10,337		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	23			25			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	1,028			2,387			23		65
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		—
	Net pension cost	$	937		$	2,061		$	172	$	228
		For the Nine Months Ended
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		September 26,			September 27,			September 26,		September 27,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	In thousands
	Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$	8,820		$	10,761		$	192	$	255
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	21,625			19,197			256		233
	Expected return on plan assets	(30,785		)	(31,011		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	68			75			—		—
	Amortization of net loss	3,085			6,968			68		195
	Additional amount recognized due to curtailment/settlement	—			—			—		277
	Net pension cost	$	2,813		$	5,990		$	516	$	960
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures	'
	The following tables show the amounts of contributions made to the Qualified Pension Plan and SERP during each period and the additional contributions the Company expects to make during the remainder of 2014:
	Year-to-date contributions:
		Qualified Pension Plan						SERP
		As of September 26, 2014			As of December 31, 2013			As of September 26, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
	In thousands
	Year-to-date contributions	$	10,000		$	10,000		$	686	$	2,291
	Expected additional contributions in 2014:
		Qualified Pension Plan			SERP
	In thousands
	Expected additional contributions	$	—		$	133

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh1

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
		For the Three Months Ended					For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26,			September 27,		September 26,		September 27,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	In thousands, except per share amounts
	Earnings from continuing operations	$	14,873		$	18,695	$	42,524	$	43,741
	Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	(94		)	64		285		64
	Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	—			420		—		420
	Net earnings	$	14,779		$	19,179	$	42,809	$	44,225
	Basic:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,113			26,770		27,025		26,721
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.55		$	0.7	$	1.57	$	1.64
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	—			—		0.01		—
	Earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations	—			0.02		—		0.02
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.55		$	0.72	$	1.58	$	1.66
	Diluted:
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding	27,113			26,770		27,025		26,721
	Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of dilutive stock options	142			164		152		156
	Weighted average shares issuable on redemption of convertible notes	607			299		589		185
	Total	27,862			27,233		27,766		27,062
	Earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.53		$	0.68	$	1.53	$	1.61
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations	—			—		0.01		—
	Earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations	—			0.02		—		0.02
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.53		$	0.7	$	1.54	$	1.63

ShareBased_Arrangements_Tables

Share-Based Arrangements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Share-based Arrangements with Employees and Nonemployees [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	'
	Stock option activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014							September 26, 2014
		Options			Weighted - average				Options		Weighted - average
					exercise price						exercise price
	Options outstanding at beginning of period	932,812			$	31.05			891,932		$	28.18
	Granted	—			$	—			186,885		$	39.22
	Exercised	(4,086	)		$	13.97			(144,146	)	$	23.28
	Forfeited or expired	(5,536	)		$	36.77			(11,481	)	$	35.68
	Options outstanding at September 26, 2014	923,190			$	31.09			923,190		$	31.09
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	'
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The following table indicates the weighted-average assumptions used in estimating fair value:
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26,				September 27,
		2014				2013
	Expected option term (years)	5.1				5.2
	Expected volatility	37.5		%		45.5		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%		0.9		%
	Expected dividend yield	1.7		%		2		%
	Per share fair value of options granted	$	11.6			$	12.38
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit activity was as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended							For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014							September 26, 2014
		Restricted  Stock			Weighted-				Restricted  Stock		Weighted-
					average grant						average grant
					date fair value						date fair value
	Restricted Stock outstanding at beginning of period	208,438			$	36.27			188,647		$	31.83
	Granted	—			$	—			111,071		$	39.89
	Vested	(100	)		$	23.75			(84,354	)	$	31.63
	Forfeited or expired	(9,765	)		$	36.58			(16,791	)	$	33.49
	Restricted Stock outstanding at September 26, 2014	198,573			$	36.28			198,573		$	36.28

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa1

Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Summarized financial information by business segment is as follows:
			For the Three Months Ended							For the Nine Months Ended
	In thousands		September 26,				September 27,			September 26,			September 27,
			2014				2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Distribution		$	308,571			$	272,951		$	877,627		$	800,352
	Aerospace		153,761				150,712			457,726			443,111
	Net sales		$	462,332			$	423,663		$	1,335,353		$	1,243,463
	Operating income:
	Distribution		$	13,272			$	14,675		$	39,826		$	32,974
	Aerospace		26,813				27,638			75,515			77,227
	Net loss on sale of assets		(47		)		—			(215		)	(100		)
	Corporate expense		(14,082		)		(10,892		)	(40,494		)	(33,896		)
	Operating income from continuing operations		25,956				31,421			74,632			76,205
	Interest expense, net		3,444				3,113			10,060			9,344
	Other expense (income), net		252				(21		)	541			368
	Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations		22,260				28,329			64,031			66,493
	Income tax expense		7,387				9,634			21,507			22,752
	Earnings from continuing operations		$	14,873			$	18,695		$	42,524		$	43,741
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company's Distribution segment acquired the operating assets of B.W. Rogers during the second quarter of 2014. This acquisition resulted in an increase to the segment's total assets, as compared to December 31, 2013.
		September 26, 2014				31-Dec-13
	In thousands
	Identifiable assets:
	Distribution	$	573,680			$	480,117
	Aerospace	560,059				557,831
	Corporate	92,563				102,683
	Total assets	$	1,226,302			$	1,140,631

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu1

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	'
	Changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 26, 2014, and September 27, 2013, respectively, were as follows:
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013
	In thousands
	Beginning balance	$	511,292		$	420,193
	Comprehensive income	40,584			48,565
	Dividends declared	(12,988		)	(12,834		)
	Employee stock plans and related tax benefit	5,387			4,002
	Purchase of treasury shares	(845		)	(644		)
	Share-based compensation expense	4,307			4,056
	Ending balance	$	547,737		$	463,338
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are shown below:
		For the Three Months Ended
		September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(12,759	)	$	(21,273	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	(5,766		)	4,669
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(5,766		)	4,669
	Ending balance	$	(18,525	)	$	(16,604	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(64,980		)	(101,600		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $9 and $10, respectively	14			15
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $396 and $931, respectively	655			1,521
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	669			1,536
	Ending balance	$	(64,311	)	$	(100,064	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(516		)	(463		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $62 and $98, respectively	(104		)	(158		)
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $68 and $24, respectively	110			39
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	6			(119		)
	Ending balance	$	(510	)	$	(582	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(83,346	)	$	(117,250	)
	15. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013
	In thousands
	Foreign currency translation:
	Beginning balance	$	(14,219	)	$	(16,515	)
	Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation	(4,306		)	(89		)
	Reclassification to net income	—			—
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	(4,306		)	(89		)
	Ending balance	$	(18,525	)	$	(16,604	)
	Pension and other post-retirement benefits(a):
	Beginning balance	(66,317		)	(104,551		)
	Reclassification to net income
	Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense of $26 and $30, respectively	42			45
	Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense of $1,189 and $2,721, respectively	1,964			4,442
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	2,006			4,487
	Ending balance	$	(64,311	)	$	(100,064	)
	Derivative instruments(b):
	Beginning balance	(585		)	(524		)
	Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $140 and $71, respectively	(233		)	(114		)
	Reclassification to net income, net of tax expense of $187 and $35, respectively	308			56
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	75			(58		)
	Ending balance	$	(510	)	$	(582	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(83,346	)	$	(117,250	)
	(a) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.
	(See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)
	(b) See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rates	'
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 26,		September 27,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Effective Income Tax Rate	33.2	%	34	%	33.6	%	34.2	%

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes	($94)	$484	$285	$484

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	'	$39,468,000
Distribution [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	'	38,034,000
Customer Lists and Relationships [Member] | Small Customer Group [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'11 years
Customer Lists and Relationships [Member] | Large Customer Group [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'18 years
Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'1 year 6 months
Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'3 years
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'8 years
BW Rogers [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Cash	-11,000	-11,000
Accounts receivable	13,332,000	13,332,000
Inventories	9,614,000	9,614,000
Property, plant and equipment	850,000	850,000
Other tangible assets	784,000	784,000
Other intangible assets	16,870,000	16,870,000
Liabilities	-7,367,000	-7,367,000
Total of net assets acquired	71,898,000	71,898,000
Total consideration	'	71,887,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	71,300,000
Revenue from acquisition	28,500,000	47,300,000
BW Rogers [Member] | Distribution [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	'	37,804,000
BW Rogers [Member] | Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets	14,900,000	14,900,000
BW Rogers [Member] | Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets	1,100,000	1,100,000
BW Rogers [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangible assets	$900,000	$900,000

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	($4,149)	($3,827)
Accounts receivable, net	259,035	205,873
Contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	0	1,021
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	159,702	125,092
U.S. Government [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	14,717	14,364
U.S. Government [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	4,287	6,340
Commercial and Other Government [Member] | Billed Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	55,472	63,051
Commercial and Other Government [Member] | Unbilled Revenues [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	$29,006	$853

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value of Financial Instruments not carried at Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$338,026	$274,655
Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	365,474	303,295
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	108,531	107,093
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	147,550	147,822
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	229,495	167,562
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$217,924	$155,473

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	$38	$127
Total Assets	38	127
Derivative Liabilities	435	276
Total Liabilities	435	276
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	38	127
Total Assets	38	127
Derivative Liabilities	435	276
Total Liabilities	435	276
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Total Liabilities	$0	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives Overview (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014		Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014		Sep. 27, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	$110,000	[1]	$39,000	$308,000	[1]	$56,000	[1]
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	200,000		'	500,000		'
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	$600,000		'	$600,000		'
[1]	See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

AUD

AUD

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

$234,000

$276,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value

'

'

'

'

150,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

384,000

276,000

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion

200,000

300,000

400,000

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,212,000

2,349,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

£ 650,000

'

'

'

'

2,626,000

0

£ 0

$86,250,000

$90,000,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details)

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

AUD

AUD

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

Foreign Exchange Kaman UK [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign exchange contracts, Other current assets / Other assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$38

$127

'

'

'

'

Foreign exhange contract, Other current assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38

127

'

'

Derivative Asset, Notional Amount

'

'

1,212

2,349

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value

51

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51

0

Derivative Liability, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

£ 650

2,626

0

£ 0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories Schedule of Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Merchandise for Resale	$152,348	$152,194
Raw materials	22,600	20,609
Contracts and other work in process	192,999	205,220
Finished Goods (including certain general stock materials)	11,354	12,472
Inventory, Net	$379,301	$390,495

Inventories_Inventory_due_to_c

Inventories Inventory due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Inventory due to contract changes, negotiated settlements and claims for unanticipated contract costs	$9,308	$11,581

Inventories_Other_Significant_

Inventories Other Significant Inventory (Details) (USD $)	8-May-13	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Equipment	K-MAX® [Member]	K-MAX® [Member]	SH 2GA Super Seasprite Program [Member]	SH 2GA Super Seasprite Program [Member]	SH 2 inventory
Inventory, Noncurrent	'	$18	$17	'	'	$6.50
Inventory, Gross	'	'	'	30.7	43.8	'
SH 2G(I) New Zealand Contract Value	$120.60	'	'	'	'	'
SH-2G(I) Aircraft Sold	10	'	'	'	'	'

Inventories_Long_term_contract

Inventories Long term contracts percentage-of-completion accounting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Decrease to operating income from the quarterly impact of revisions in long term contracts	'	$0.10	'	$2.80
Increase to operating income from the quarterly impact of revisions in long term contracts	$1.30	'	$1.50	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Gross balance at beginning of period	'	$220,175
Accumulated impairment	'	-16,252
Net balance at beginning of period	203,923	'
Additions	39,468	'
Goodwill impairment	0	'
Foreign currency translation	-1,237	'
Net balance at end of period	242,154	'
Distribution [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Gross balance at beginning of period	'	105,637
Accumulated impairment	'	0
Net balance at beginning of period	105,637	'
Additions	38,034	'
Goodwill impairment	0	'
Foreign currency translation	-21	'
Net balance at end of period	143,650	'
Aerospace [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Gross balance at beginning of period	'	114,538
Accumulated impairment	'	-16,252
Net balance at beginning of period	98,286	'
Additions	1,434	'
Goodwill impairment	0	'
Foreign currency translation	-1,216	'
Net balance at end of period	$98,504	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	$136,111	$119,141
Accumulated Amortization	-37,466	-29,692
Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	124,818	109,790
Accumulated Amortization	-30,249	-23,647
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	3,564	2,695
Accumulated Amortization	-1,970	-1,594
Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	7,206	6,133
Accumulated Amortization	-4,844	-4,055
Patents [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	523	523
Accumulated Amortization	($403)	($396)
Amortization period, in years	'17 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'6 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'3 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'1 year	'
Maximum [Member] | Customer Lists and Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'21 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'8 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Non-Compete Agreements and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization period, in years	'9 years	'

Pension_Plan_Pension_plan_net_

Pension Plan Pension plan net periodic benefit costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Qualified Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$2,940	$3,587	$8,820	$10,761
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	7,208	6,399	21,625	19,197
Expected return on plan assets	-10,262	-10,337	-30,785	-31,011
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	23	25	68	75
Recognized net loss	1,028	2,387	3,085	6,968
Net pension benefit cost	937	2,061	2,813	5,990
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Service cost for benefits earned during the year	64	85	192	255
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	85	78	256	233
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0	0	0	0
Recognized net loss	23	65	68	195
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments	0	0	0	277
Net pension benefit cost	172	228	516	960
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments	$0	$0	$0	$0

Pension_Plan_Contributions_Det

Pension Plan Contributions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Qualified Pension Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Contributions paid-to-date	$10,000	$10,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions	0	'
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Contributions paid-to-date	686	2,291
SERP, Expected contributions	$133	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Revenue Sharing Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia (Details) (USD $)	8-May-13	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Equipment	Commonwealth of Australia [Member]	Revenue Sharing Agreement [Member]
		Revenue Sharing Agreement [Member]
		SH 2GA Super Seasprite Program [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments	'	'	$5.30
SH 2G(I) New Zealand Contract Value	120.6	'	'
SH-2G(I) Aircraft Sold	10	'	'
Cumulative Payments, Contractual Obligation	'	$32.10	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Textuals (Details)

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Oct. 23, 2014

Moosup [Member]

New Hartford [Member]

Bloomfield [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

Superfund Site [Member]

Other accruals and payables [Member]

Other accruals and payables [Member]

Other accruals and payables [Member]

Other accruals and payables [Member]

Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

Moosup [Member]

New Hartford [Member]

Bloomfield [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

Bloomfield [Member]

Wichita Matter [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Escrow Deposit

$4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.5

Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies

'

2.2

5.8

0.3

'

'

0

3.2

0.6

1.6

0.5

4.2

'

Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Payments

0.8

0.5

8.5

1.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site Contingency, Accrual, Discount Amount

'

'

10.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site Contingency, Accrual, Undiscounted Amount

'

'

20.8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site Contingency, Accrual, Discount Rate

'

'

8.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Environmental Exit Costs, Anticipated Cost

'

'

'

'

'

1.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Enviromental Remediation Liability Released to Income

'

'

'

'

£ 0.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh2

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Nov. 30, 2010

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Equity awards granted to employees [Member]

Convertible Debt Securities [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings from continuing operations

$14,873,000

$18,695,000

$42,524,000

$43,741,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax

-94,000

64,000

285,000

64,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes

-94,000

484,000

285,000

484,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes

0

420,000

0

420,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings

14,779,000

19,179,000

42,809,000

44,225,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic

27,113,000

26,770,000

27,025,000

26,721,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

$0.55

$0.70

$1.57

$1.64

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations

$0

$0

$0.01

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations

$0

$0.02

$0

$0.02

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share

$0.55

$0.72

$1.58

$1.66

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of dilutive stock options

142,000

164,000

152,000

156,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average shares issuable on exercise of convertible notes

607,000

299,000

589,000

185,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted

27,862,000

27,233,000

27,766,000

27,062,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

$0.53

$0.68

$1.53

$1.61

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

$0

$0

$0.01

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share from disposal of discontinued operations

$0

$0.02

$0

$0.02

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted earnings per share

$0.53

$0.70

$1.54

$1.63

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount

'

'

'

'

310,192

405,505

356,841

429,541

'

3,412,339

3,405,585

3,410,690

3,403,710

Convertible Notes, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$115,000,000

'

'

'

'

ShareBased_Arrangements_Compen

Share-Based Arrangements Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Mar. 28, 2014
					Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	$1,000	$1,000	$4,307	$4,056	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	'	'	'	'	10,934

ShareBased_Arrangements_Stock_

Share-Based Arrangements Stock Options Activity (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at beginning of the period (in shares)	932,812	891,932	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	0	186,885	'	'	'
Exercised (in shares)	-4,086	-144,146	'	'	'
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	-5,536	-11,481	'	'	'
Outstanding at September 26, 2014 (in shares)	923,190	923,190	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at Beginning of Period, Weighted average-exercise price (usd per share)	$31.09	$31.09	'	$31.05	$28.18
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$0	$39.22	'	'	'
Exercised, Weighted average-exercise price (usd per share)	$13.97	$23.28	'	'	'
Forfeited or expired, Weighted average exercise price (usd per share)	$36.77	$35.68	'	'	'
Options outstanding at September 26, 2014, Weighted average-exercise price (usd per share)	$31.09	$31.09	'	$31.05	$28.18
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Expected option term	'	'5 years 1 month	'5 years 2 months	'	'
Expected volatility	'	37.50%	45.50%	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	1.50%	0.90%	'	'
Expected dividend yield	'	1.70%	2.00%	'	'
Per share fair value of options granted	'	$11.60	$12.38	'	'

ShareBased_Arrangements_Restri

Share-Based Arrangements Restricted Stock Activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'
Restricted Stock outstanding at beginning of the period (in shares)	208,438	188,647
Granted (in shares)	0	111,071
Vested (in shares)	-100	-84,354
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	-9,765	-16,791
Restricted Stock outstanding at June 27, 2014 (in shares)	198,573	198,573
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Restricted Stock outstanding at Beginning of Period, Weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share)	$36.27	$31.83
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$0	$39.89
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$23.75	$31.63
Forfeited or expired, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$36.58	$33.49
Restricted Stock outstanding at March 28, 2014, Weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share)	$36.28	$36.28

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa2

Segment and Geographic Information Reconciliation of Income From Segements to Consolidation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			segment
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Operating Segments	'	'	2	'	'
Net sales	$462,332	$423,663	$1,335,353	$1,243,463	'
Operating income	25,956	31,421	74,632	76,205	'
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets	-47	0	-215	-100	'
Interest expense, net	3,444	3,113	10,060	9,344	'
Other expense (income), net	252	-21	541	368	'
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	22,260	28,329	64,031	66,493	'
Income tax expense	7,387	9,634	21,507	22,752	'
Earnings from continuing operations	14,873	18,695	42,524	43,741	'
Assets	1,226,302	'	1,226,302	'	1,140,631
Distribution [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	308,571	272,951	877,627	800,352	'
Operating income	13,272	14,675	39,826	32,974	'
Assets	573,680	'	573,680	'	480,117
Aerospace [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	153,761	150,712	457,726	443,111	'
Operating income	26,813	27,638	75,515	77,227	'
Assets	560,059	'	560,059	'	557,831
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets	-47	0	-215	-100	'
Corporate Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income	-14,082	-10,892	-40,494	-33,896	'
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$92,563	'	$92,563	'	$102,683

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu2

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	$511,292	$420,193
Comprehensive Income	9,688	25,265	40,584	48,565
Dividends declared	'	'	-12,988	-12,834
Employee stock plans and related tax benefit	'	'	5,387	4,002
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	'	'	845	644
Purchase of treasury shares	'	'	'	-644
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,000	1,000	4,307	4,056
Ending Balance	$547,737	$463,338	$547,737	$463,338

Shareholders_Equity_and_Accumu3

Shareholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Jun. 27, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation

($18,525)

($16,604)

($18,525)

($16,604)

($12,759)

($14,219)

($21,273)

($16,515)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

-5,766

4,669

-4,306

-89

'

'

'

'

Reclassification to net income, foreign currency translation

0

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation

-5,766

4,669

-4,306

-89

'

'

'

'

Changes in pension and post-retirement benefit plans

-64,311

[1]

-100,064

[1]

-64,311

[1]

-100,064

[1]

-64,980

[1]

-66,317

[1]

101,600

104,551

Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax expense

14

[1]

15

[1]

42

[1]

45

[1]

'

'

'

'

Amortization of net loss, net of tax expense

655

[1]

1,521

[1]

1,964

[1]

4,442

[1]

'

'

'

'

Pension plan adjustments, net of tax expense

669

[1]

1,536

[1]

2,006

[1]

4,487

[1]

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on derivative instruments, Effect Net of Tax

-510

[2]

-582

[2]

-510

[2]

-582

[2]

-516

[2]

-585

[2]

-463

-524

[2]

Net loss on derivative instruments, net of tax expense (benefit)

-104

[2]

-158

[2]

-233

[2]

-114

[2]

'

'

'

'

Reclassification to net income, derivative instruments, net of tax benefit

110

[2]

39

308

[2]

56

[2]

'

'

'

'

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax

6

[2]

-119

[2]

75

[2]

-58

[2]

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

-83,346

-117,250

-83,346

-117,250

'

-81,121

'

'

Tax expense for pension plan adjustments

405

941

1,215

2,751

'

'

'

'

Tax expense (benefit) for the change in unrealized loss on derivative instruments

62

98

140

71

'

'

'

'

Tax expense (benefit) on loss on derivative instruments reclassified to net income

68

24

187

35

'

'

'

'

Amortization of prior service cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax expense for pension plan adjustments

9

10

26

30

'

'

'

'

Amortization of net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax expense for pension plan adjustments

$396

$931

$1,189

$2,721

'

'

'

'

[1]

These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. (See Note 10, Pension Plans for additional information.)

[2]

See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	33.20%	34.00%	33.60%	34.20%