XML 63 R60.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Minority Investments - Schedule of Net Investment Activity (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Results Related To Equity Accounted Investees [Line Items]              
Minority interest in net losses     $ (644)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments $ (789)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments      
Net foreign exchange rate impact (209)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense (341)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense 379us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense (908)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense      
Tres Amigas              
Schedule Of Results Related To Equity Accounted Investees [Line Items]              
Beginning Balance     1,845amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_TresAmigasMember
       
Minority interest in net losses     (644)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_TresAmigasMember
       
Ending Balance 1,201amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_TresAmigasMember
  1,201amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_TresAmigasMember
       
Blade Dynamics Ltd.              
Schedule Of Results Related To Equity Accounted Investees [Line Items]              
Beginning Balance     3,690amsc_NetInvestmentActivityInBusinessAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember
       
Net foreign exchange rate impact     (226)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember
       
Impairment     $ (3,464)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember
  $ (3,500)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember
$ (1,300)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember
$ (1,300)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= amsc_BladeDynamicsLtdMember