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Commitments and Contingency - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 28, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Letters of credit and guarantees | $ 1.2
Maximum |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Period preceding delivery of aircraft to customer fair market value of trade-in aircraft is established, days, maximum | 120 days

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- Details
Name: | gd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | gd_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Letters of credit, bank guarantees, surety bonds, and other similar arrangements entered into with financial institutions and insurance carriers. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gd_LettersOfCreditAndGuarantees
Namespace Prefix: | gd_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Period preceding delivery fair market value established. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gd_PeriodPrecedingDeliveryFairMarketValueEstablished
Namespace Prefix: | gd_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration