Note 2 - Dispositions and Exit Activities (Details) - Discontinued Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 20,361	$ 26,181	$ 58,659	$ 72,388
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(16)	175	135	437
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	15	200	159	178
Ultralife Batteries UK, Ltd. [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations			241
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			241
RedBlack Communications Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales		1,267		3,404
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations	15	(59)	(96)	(3)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(196)		(174)
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 15	$ 137	$ (96)	$ 171

Overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, before income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the following (before income tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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