Note 1: Acquisitions, Dispositions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Amortization of Acquired Intanglible Assets [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Amortization of Acquired Intanglible Assets [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Amortization of Acquired Intanglible Assets [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Amortization of Acquired Intanglible Assets [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Utilization of Contractual Customer Obligation [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Utilization of Contractual Customer Obligation [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Utilization of Contractual Customer Obligation [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Utilization of Contractual Customer Obligation [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interest Expense Incurred [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Interest Expense Incurred [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Interest Expense Incurred [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Interest Expense Incurred [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
IAE Collaboration [Member]
Jun. 30, 2012
IAE Collaboration [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
IAE Collaboration [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
International Aero Engines AG [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Service portfolios [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Service portfolios [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Patents and trademarks [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Patents and trademarks [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Collaboration [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Collaboration [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Other, principally customer relationships [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other, principally customer relationships [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Otis [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
UTC Climate Controls and Security [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Pratt and Whitney [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
UTC Aerospace Systems [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Sikorsky [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Total Segments [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Eliminations and other [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Goodrich Corporation [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Goodrich Corporation [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
International Aero Engines AG [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Pratt And Whitney Rocketdyne [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
MTU Aero Engines AG [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Legacy Hamilton Sundstrand Industrial Business [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Auxiliary Power Unit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price                                                                                         $ 18,300,000,000   $ 1,500,000,000        
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Net Debt Assumed                                                                                         1,900,000,000            
Business Acquisition Revenue Reported By Acquired Entity For Last Annual Period                                                                                         8,100,000,000            
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain (Loss), Net                                                                                             21,000,000        
Length Of Time For Agreement                                                                                             15        
Proceeds From Portion Of Acquired Interests Sold                                                                                                 233,000,000    
Business Acquisition Effective Date Of Acquisition                                                                                         Jul. 26, 2012   Jun. 29, 2012        
Business Acquisition Share Price                                                                                         $ 127.50            
Business Combination Reason For Business Combination                                                                                         The acquisition of Goodrich and the formation of UTC Aerospace Systems provide increased scale, financial strength and complementary product offerings, allowing us to significantly strengthen our position in the aerospace and defense industry, create aftermarket efficiencies for our customers, accelerate our ability to drive innovation within the aerospace industry, and enhance our ability to support our customers with more integrated systems.            
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Environmental Liabilities Assumed                                                                                         232,000,000            
Business Acquisition Preexisting Relationship Gain Loss Recognized                                                                                         46,000,000            
Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Transaction Costs                                                                                         84,000,000            
Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Planned Restructuring Activities                                                                                         29,000,000            
Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Interest Costs                                                                                         130,000,000            
Agreed Upon Selling Price Of Disposal Business                                                                                               550,000,000   3,460,000,000  
Proceeds From Issuance Of Commercial Paper     3,200,000,000                                                                                                
Cash and Cash Equivalents Used in Business Acquisition 500,000,000   500,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Management Continuity Arrangement Liabilities Assumed                                                                                         73,000,000            
Business Acquisition, Cost of Management Continuity Arrangements Amendment                                                                                         12,000,000            
Business Acquisition, Unremitted Foreign Earnings Income Tax Liability                                                                                           853,000,000          
Business Acquisition, Deferred Income Tax Liability Recorded                                                                                         218,000,000            
Transfer of Goodwill within Existing Segments                                                                                                     360,000,000
Goodwill [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Goodwill - Beginning Balance     17,943,000,000                                                                     1,516,000,000 9,758,000,000 1,223,000,000 4,475,000,000 348,000,000 17,320,000,000 623,000,000              
Goodwill resulting from business combinations     11,550,000,000                                                                     23,000,000 88,000,000 272,000,000 11,167,000,000 0 11,550,000,000 0              
Goodwill translation and other     (1,863,000,000)                                                                     9,000,000 (25,000,000) (174,000,000) (1,053,000,000) 3,000,000 (1,240,000,000) (623,000,000)              
Goodwill - Ending Balance 27,630,000,000   27,630,000,000                                                                     1,548,000,000 9,821,000,000 1,321,000,000 14,589,000,000 351,000,000 27,630,000,000 0              
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Gross Amount 15,730,000,000   15,730,000,000   5,828,000,000                                                 2,120,000,000 2,036,000,000 398,000,000 463,000,000 1,376,000,000 0 11,836,000,000 3,329,000,000                            
Accumulated Amortization (2,903,000,000)   (2,903,000,000)   (2,672,000,000)                                                 (1,165,000,000) (1,060,000,000) (164,000,000) (183,000,000) 0 0 (1,574,000,000) (1,429,000,000)                            
Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entities and Interest in Affiliates     18,600,000,000                                                                                                
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition and Interest in Affiliates Debt Assumed     2,600,000,000                                                                                                
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) 2,319,000,000   2,319,000,000   762,000,000                                                                                            
Intangible Assets Gross Excluding Goodwill 18,049,000,000   18,049,000,000   6,590,000,000                                                                                            
Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Excluding Goodwill (2,903,000,000)   (2,903,000,000)   (2,672,000,000)                                                                                            
Amortization of Intangible Assets 166,000,000 102,000,000 360,000,000 304,000,000                                                                                              
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year 178,000,000   178,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months 703,000,000   703,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two 678,000,000   678,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three 647,000,000   647,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four 628,000,000   628,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five 662,000,000   662,000,000                                                                                                
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Current Assets 1,521,000,000   1,521,000,000                                                                                                
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Noncurrent Assets 931,000,000   931,000,000                                                                                                
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 2,452,000,000   2,452,000,000                                                                                                
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Current Liabilities 1,556,000,000   1,556,000,000                                                                                                
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Noncurrent Liabilities 1,013,000,000   1,013,000,000                                                                                                
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities 2,569,000,000   2,569,000,000                                                                                                
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage                                                   61.00% 61.00% 33.00% 49.50%                                            
Subsequent Event [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Subsequent Event, Amount     400,000,000                                                                                                
Subsequent Event, Date     Oct. 16, 2012                                                                                                
Fair Value Balance Sheet for Acquisition [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Assets Cash And Cash Equivalents 538,000,000   538,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Assets Receivables 1,182,000,000   1,182,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Assets Inventory 1,729,000,000   1,729,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Income Taxes Asset Liability Net Current 280,000,000   280,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Assets Prepaid Expense And Other Assets 574,000,000   574,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Property Plant And Equipment 2,342,000,000   2,342,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Assets Customer Relationships 8,550,000,000   8,550,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Assets Trademarks 1,550,000,000   1,550,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Other Noncurrent Assets 1,831,000,000   1,831,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Short Term Borrowings (83,000,000)   (83,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Liabilities Accounts Payable (443,000,000)   (443,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (2,242,000,000)   (2,242,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Notes Payable And Long Term Debt (2,961,000,000)   (2,961,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Projected Benefit Obligation Asset (1,745,000,000)   (1,745,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Customer Contractual Obligations (2,050,000,000)   (2,050,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Other Noncurrent Liabilities (3,758,000,000)   (3,758,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Noncontrolling Interest (41,000,000)   (41,000,000)                                                                                                
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Net 5,253,000,000   5,253,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill Amount 11,167,000,000   11,167,000,000                                                                                                
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired Goodwill And Liabilities Assumed Net 16,420,000,000   16,420,000,000                                                                                                
Pro Forma Consolidated Information [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Net Sales 15,512,000,000 16,103,000,000 45,730,000,000 46,854,000,000                                                                                              
Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Changes In Accounting And Extraordinary Items Net Of Tax 1,266,000,000 1,403,000,000 4,096,000,000 3,483,000,000                                                                                              
Business Acquisition Pro Forma IncomeLoss From Continuing Operations Before Changes In Accounting And Extraordinary Items Net Of Tax Per Share Basic $ 1.41 $ 1.58 $ 4.58 $ 3.90                                                                                              
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Changes In Accounting And Extraordinary Items Net Of Tax Per Share Diluted $ 1.40 $ 1.56 $ 4.52 $ 3.83                                                                                              
Expected Amortization [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year 178,000,000   178,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months 703,000,000   703,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two 678,000,000   678,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three 647,000,000   647,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four 628,000,000   628,000,000                                                                                                
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five 662,000,000   662,000,000                                                                                                
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Debt Instrument, Total Face Amount Issued 9,800,000,000   9,800,000,000                                                                                                
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]                                                                                                      
Net income $ 1,511,000,000 $ 1,421,000,000 $ 3,340,000,000 $ 3,952,000,000   $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 103,000,000 $ 15,000,000 $ 46,000,000 $ 107,000,000 $ 138,000,000 $ (10,000,000) $ (46,000,000) $ (103,000,000) $ (154,000,000) $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 196,000,000 $ (3,000,000) $ 44,000,000 $ 63,000,000 $ 133,000,000                                                    
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Description               1 Added the expense for inventory fair value adjustments which would have been amortized as the corresponding inventory would have been completely sold during the first two quarters of 2011.       2 Added the additional amortization of the acquired Goodrich intangible assets recognized at fair value in purchase accounting and eliminated the historical Goodrich intangible asset amortization expense.       3 Added the additional utilization of the Goodrich contractual customer obligation recognized in purchase accounting.       4 Added the UTC/Goodrich fees that were incurred in connection with the acquisition of Goodrich during the first quarter of 2011.       5 Added the additional interest expense for the debt incurred to finance our acquisition of Goodrich and reduced interest expense for the debt fair value adjustment which would have been amortized.