<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.5.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>130</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>216</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>48</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEarningsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003500 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndAssetsHeldForSale</Role>
      <ShortName>DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - RECEIVABLES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/Receivables</Role>
      <ShortName>RECEIVABLES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - INVENTORIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>INVENTORIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - GOODWILL</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/Goodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/OtherIntangibleAssetsNet</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT INFORMATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitments</Role>
      <ShortName>CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION Tables (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/BasisOfPresentationTablesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION Tables (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndAssetsHeldForSaleTable</Role>
      <ShortName>DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndAssetsHeldForSale</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - RECEIVABLES (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/ReceivablesTable</Role>
      <ShortName>RECEIVABLES (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/Receivables</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - INVENTORIES (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/InventoriesTable</Role>
      <ShortName>INVENTORIES (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/Inventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - GOODWILL (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/GoodwillTable</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/Goodwill</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/OtherIntangibleAssetsNetTable</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/OtherIntangibleAssetsNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTable</Role>
      <ShortName>PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/EarningsPerShareTable</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/SegmentInformationTable</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT INFORMATION (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Table)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Table)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Reclassifications for Accounting Pronouncements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/ReclassificationsForAccountingPronouncementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reclassifications for Accounting Pronouncements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE - Aggregate Financial Results (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndAssetsHeldForSaleAggregateFinancialResultsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE - Aggregate Financial Results (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndAssetsHeldForSaleNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndAssetsHeldForSaleTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - RECEIVABLES (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/ReceivablesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>RECEIVABLES (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/ReceivablesTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - INVENTORIES (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/InventoriesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INVENTORIES (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/InventoriesTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - INVENTORIES (Narrative) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/InventoriesNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INVENTORIES (Narrative) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/InventoriesTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - GOODWILL (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/GoodwillDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/GoodwillTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/OtherIntangibleAssetsNetDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/OtherIntangibleAssetsNetTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Narrative) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/OtherIntangibleAssetsNetNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Narrative) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/OtherIntangibleAssetsNetTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Interest Rate Swap) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsInterestRateSwapDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Interest Rate Swap) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Balance Sheet) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Balance Sheet) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Income Loss) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsIncomeLossDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Income Loss) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408405 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Debt) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDebtDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Debt) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408406 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Nonrecurring measurements) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsNonrecurringMeasurementsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Nonrecurring measurements) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Additional) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdditionalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Additional) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/EarningsPerShareTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/SegmentInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT INFORMATION (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/SegmentInformationTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Reconciliation) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT INFORMATION (Reconciliation) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/SegmentInformationTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417403 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Reclass) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Reclass) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cw-20160630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418401 - Disclosure - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitmentsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.curtisswright.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitments</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>cw-20160630.xml</File>
    <File>cw-20160630.xsd</File>
    <File>cw-20160630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>cw-20160630_def.xml</File>
    <File>cw-20160630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>cw-20160630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
