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Commitments and Contingency - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	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

X

- Details

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

X

- 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

X

- 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