Note 1: Acquisitions, Dispositions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011
Clipper Windpower [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Goodrich Corporation [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010
Goodrich Corporation [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
International Aero Engines AG [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Rolls Royce [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Carrier [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Hamilton Sundstrand [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Sikorsky [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Sikorsky [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Otis [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
UTC Fire and Security [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Pratt and Whitney [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Pratt and Whitney [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Total Segments [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Eliminations and other [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Service portfolios [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010
Service portfolios [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Patents and trademarks [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010
Patents and trademarks [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
Other, principally customer relationships [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010
Other, principally customer relationships [Member] | |
| Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition Date Of Acquisition Agreement | December 2010 | September 21, 2011 | October 12, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price | $ 18,400,000,000 | $ 1,500,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition Cash Paid Per Share | $ 127.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Debt Assumed | 1,900,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price Excluding Debt Assumed | 16,500,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Component Of Financing Transaction | 25.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business Acquisition Revenue Reported By Acquired Entity For Last Annual Period | 7,000,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Midsize Passenger Aircraft Lower Bound | 120 | 120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Midsize Passenger Aircraft Upper Bound | 230 | 230 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length Of Time For Agreement | 15 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments | 258,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal | 73,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill - Beginning Balance | 17,721,000,000 | 3,171,000,000 | 4,491,000,000 | 330,000,000 | 1,470,000,000 | 6,646,000,000 | 1,224,000,000 | 17,332,000,000 | 389,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill resulting from business combinations | 363,000,000 | 35,000,000 | (10,000,000) | 0 | 45,000,000 | 35,000,000 | 0 | 105,000,000 | 258,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill translation and other | (104,000,000) | (51,000,000) | (5,000,000) | (4,000,000) | (5,000,000) | (33,000,000) | 4,000,000 | (94,000,000) | (10) | |||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill - Ending Balance | 17,980,000,000 | 17,980,000,000 | 3,155,000,000 | 4,476,000,000 | 326,000,000 | 1,510,000,000 | 6,648,000,000 | 1,228,000,000 | 17,343,000,000 | 637,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amount | 5,821,000,000 | 5,821,000,000 | 5,620,000,000 | 2,042,000,000 | 1,950,000,000 | 468,000,000 | 441,000,000 | 3,311,000,000 | 3,229,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated Amortization | (2,614,000,000) | (2,614,000,000) | (2,317,000,000) | (1,051,000,000) | (942,000,000) | (179,000,000) | (153,000,000) | (1,384,000,000) | (1,222,000,000) | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entities and Interest in Affiliates | 229,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) | 759,000,000 | 759,000,000 | 757,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible Assets Gross Excluding Goodwill | 6,580,000,000 | 6,580,000,000 | 6,377,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Excluding Goodwill | (2,614,000,000) | (2,614,000,000) | (2,317,000,000) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of Intangible Assets | 102,000,000 | 104,000,000 | 304,000,000 | 283,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense | $ 315,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limited Liability Company Or Limited Partnership [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limited Liability Company LLC Or Limited Partnership LP Members Or Limited Partners Ownership Interest | 66.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||