Note 2 - Dispositions & Exit Activities (Details) - Discontinued Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 78,835	$ 101,657
(Provision) Benefit for income taxes	(239)	(554)
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	128	(501)
Ultralife Batteries UK, Ltd. [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	241	(815)
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	241	(815)
RedBlack Communications Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net sales		3,404
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(125)	(7)
(Provision) Benefit for income taxes		174
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (125)	$ 167

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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