Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement Line Items [Line Items] Statement Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Short-term Investments Short-term investments Total held-to-maturity and short-term investments Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,360 at January 27, 2018 and $291 at April 30, 2017 This element represents the current portion of Unbilled amounts due for services rendered or to be rendered, actions taken or to be taken, or a promise to refrain from taking certain actions in accordance with the terms of a legally binding agreement between the entity and, at a minimum, one other party, also include retentions amounts withheld by customers until contract completion. Unbilled Contracts Receivable and Retentions, Current Unbilled receivables and retentions Inventory, Net Inventories, net Inventories, net Income Taxes Receivable, Current Income taxes receivable Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Long-term Investments Long-term investments Total long-term investments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Employee-related Liabilities, Current Wages and related accruals Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable Customer Advances, Current Customer advances Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent Deferred rent Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Capital lease obligations - net of current portion Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other non-current liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax liability Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Noncurrent Liability for uncertain tax positions Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: Authorized shares—10,000,000; none issued or outstanding at January 27, 2018 and April 30, 2017 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.0001 par value: Authorized shares—100,000,000 Issued and outstanding shares—23,906,043 shares at January 27, 2018 and 23,630,419 at April 30, 2017 Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total accumulated other comprehensive loss balance as of January 27, 2018 Total accumulated other comprehensive loss balance as of April 30, 2017 Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total AeroVironment stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, Authorized shares Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, issued shares Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, outstanding shares Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, Authorized shares Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, Issued shares Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, outstanding shares Consolidated Statements of Operations Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Product sales Sales Revenue, Services, Net Contract services Revenues Revenue Total revenue Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Cost of sales: Cost of Goods Sold Product sales Cost of Services Contract services Cost of Revenue Cost of sales Total cost of sales Gross Profit: Gross margin: Aggregate revenue from the sale of goods less cost of goods sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation product sales activity. Sales Gross Profit Product sales Aggregate revenue from services rendered less costs related to such services rendered or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation product sales activity. Contract Services Contract services Gross Profit Total gross margin Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Research and Development Expense Research and development Operating Income (Loss) (Loss) income from operations Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense): Investment Income, Interest Interest income, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other expense, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision (benefit) for income taxes Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Loss from equity method investments Equity method investment activity, net of tax Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net (loss) income Net (loss) income Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) Net (loss) income attributable to AeroVironment Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Net (loss) income per share attributable to AeroVironment: (Loss) Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average shares outstanding: Denominator for basic (loss) earnings per share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic (in shares) Weighted-average common shares outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Denominator for diluted (loss) earnings per share (in shares) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Change in foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized Gain (loss) on investiments Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of $10 and $(23) for the three months ended January 27, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively; and net of deferred tax expense of $29 and $6 for the nine months ended January 27, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to AeroVironment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized gain, tax portion Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred tax expense (benefit) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Asset Impairment Charges Impairment of long-lived assets Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for doubtful accounts Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized (Gains) losses on foreign currency transactions The noncash component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations. Deferred Income Tax Noncash Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Deferred Tax Expense from Stock Options Exercised Tax benefit from exercise of stock options Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposition of property and equipment Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Amortization of held-to-maturity investments Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable This element represents the net change during the reporting period in the amount of unbilled receivables and retentions. Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Contracts Receivable and Retentions Unbilled receivables and retentions Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Income tax receivable Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Liabilities Other liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Investing activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisition of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Equity method investments Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Held-to-maturity Securities Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments Payments to Acquire Held-to-maturity Securities Purchases of held-to-maturity investments Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Redemptions of available-for-sale investments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Financing activities Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments of capital lease obligations Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Tax withholding payment related to net settlement of equity awards Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Cash paid, net during the period for: Income Taxes Paid Income taxes Non-cash activities Available-for-sale Securities, Change in Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Unrealized gain on investments, net of deferred tax expense of $29 and $6, respectively Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Share-based Liabilities Paid Reclassification from share-based liability compensation to equity Non cash or Part of non cash change in foreign currency translation adjustments. Non Cash or Part of Non Cash Change in Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Change in foreign currency translation adjustments The amount of fixed assets included in accounts payable that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Fixed Assets Acquired Included In Accounts Payable Acquisitions of property and equipment included in accounts payable Available-for-sale Securities, Income Tax Expense on Change in Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) Unrealized change in fair value on long-term investments recorded in other comprehensive income loss, net of tax expenses (benefit) Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Investments Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Investments Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Inventories, net Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories, net Equity Method Investments Cost and Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Method Investments Warranty Reserves Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] Warranty Reserves Intangibles Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangibles Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and Reclassifications Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and Reclassifications Customer-Funded Research & Development Research and Development Research, Development, and Computer Software Disclosure [Text Block] Customer-Funded Research & Development Long-Term Incentive Awards Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Long-Term Incentive Awards Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Share Repurchase Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block] Share Repurchase Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Segment Data Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Data Subsequent Events. Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Segments Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Presentation Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block] Reclassifications Disclosure of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards that may impact the entity's financial reporting. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Policy Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Investments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Values of Financial Instruments Government Contractors, Policy [Policy Text Block] Government Contracts Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings Per Share New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Standards Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Schedule of reconciliation of basic to diluted shares Investment Holdings [Table] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type Categorization [Member] Investments [Domain] Heldtomaturity Securities [Member] Held-to-maturity securities Availableforsale Securities [Member] Available-for-sale securities Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Auction Rate Securities [Member] Auction rate securities Investment Holdings [Line Items] Investments Summary Investment Holdings [Table Text Block] Schedule of investments Held-to-maturity Securities [Table Text Block] Schedule of amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and estimated fair value of held-to-maturity investments Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Schedule of amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Schedule of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Schedule of reconciliation between beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair value on recurring basis that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Schedule of inventories Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Summary of warranty reserve activity Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Schedule of components of intangibles Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule of components of accumulated other comprehensive loss Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Schedule of segment results Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustment Restatement [Table] Investment, Name [Axis] Equity Method Investee Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Represents information pertaining to Altoy Savunma Sanayi ve Havacilik Anonim Sirketi ("Altoy"), a Turkish corporation. Altoy Savunma Sanayi Ve Havacilik Anonim Sirketi [Member] Altoy Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Ownership percentage Number of Reportable Segments Number of reportable segments Concentration Risk [Table] Concentration Risk [Line Items] No definition available. Government Contracts [Abstract] Government Contracts Represents the reserves for incurred cost claim audits. Reserves for Incurred Cost Claim Audits Reserves for incurred cost claim audits Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Dilutive effect of employee stock options and unvested restricted stock (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Number of shares reserved for issuance that are anti-dilutive Municipal Bonds [Member] Municipal securities U S Government Debt Securities [Member] U.S. government securities Corporate Bond Securities [Member] Corporate bonds Certificates Of Deposit [Member] Certificates of deposit Short-term Investments [Abstract] Short-term investments: Long-term Investments [Abstract] Long-term investments: Held-to-maturity Securities, Unclassified [Abstract] Held To Maturity Securities Held-to-maturity Securities. Amortized Cost Total Amount of accumulated unrealized gains on investments in debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. Held To Maturity Securities Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Gains Gross Unrealized Gains Amount of accumulated unrealized losses on investments in debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. Held To Maturity Securities Accumulated Unrecognized Holding Losses Gross Unrealized Losses Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Fair Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Net Carrying Amount [Abstract] Amortized cost of held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity Carrying amount of debt securities accounted for as held-to-maturity, net of adjustments, including but not limited to, accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) recognized, and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, maturing in the next rolling twelve months following the latest balance sheet presented. Held to Maturity Securities Debt Maturities Next Rolling Twelve Months Net Carrying Amount Due within one year Carrying amount of debt securities accounted for as held-to-maturity, net of adjustments, including but not limited to, accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) recognized, and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, maturing in the second rolling twelve months through the fifth rolling twelve months following the latest balance sheet presented. Held-to-maturity Securities Debt Maturities Rolling Year Two Through Five Net Carrying Amount Due after one year through five years Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value, Rolling Maturity [Abstract] Fair value of held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Rolling Twelve Months, Fair Value Due within one year Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year Two Through Five, Fair Value Due after one year through five years Range [Axis] Range [Member] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum Maximum [Member] Maximum Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions Number of available-for-sale securities Available-for-sale Securities, Other Disclosure Items [Abstract] Available For Sale Securities Represents the maturity period of available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale Securities Maturity Period Maturity period of available-for-sale securities Represents the pre-determined interval to reset interest rates to current rates. Available-for-sale Securities Predetermined Interval to Reset Interest Rate Pre-determined interval to reset interest rates to current rates Represents the period for which the issuer of securities is not required to redeem the securities. Period for which Issuer is Not Required to Redeem Investments Period for which the issuer of securities is not required to redeem the securities Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract] Available-For-Sale Securities Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Amortized Cost Total Amount before tax of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income on investments in debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Available For Sale Securities Accumulated Gross Unrealized Losses Before Tax Gross Unrealized Losses Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Noncurrent Total Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis, Rolling Maturity [Abstract] Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity Amount after adjustments of available-for-sale debt securities at cost, maturing in the first through fifth rolling twelve months following the latest balance sheet. Adjustments include, but are not limited to, accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) recognized in earnings less cumulative-effect adjustments, and fair value hedge accounting adjustments. For interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Rolling Year One Through Five Amortized Cost Basis Due one through five years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Rolling after Year Ten, Amortized Cost Basis Due after 10 years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value, Rolling Maturity [Abstract] Fair value of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity Fair value of available-for-sale debt securities maturing in the first through fifth rolling twelve months following the latest balance sheet. For interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Rolling Year One Through Five Fair Value Due one through five years Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Rolling after Year Ten, Fair Value Due after 10 years Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value Measurements Recurring [Member] Recurring basis Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member] Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value Measurement Available-for-sale Securities.. Available-for-sale securities Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Reconciliation between beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair value on recurring basis Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value Balance at the end of the period Balance at the beginning of the period Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total gains (realized or unrealized) included in other comprehensive income Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, (Sales), Issuances, (Settlements) Purchases, issuances and settlements, net Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Table] Valuation Technique [Axis] Valuation Technique [Domain] Valuation Technique [Domain] Represents the discounted cash flow approach valuation technique used to measure fair value. Discounted Cash Flow Technique [Member] Discounted cash flow Asset Class [Axis] Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation By Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class [Domain] Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items] Fair Value Inputs Represents the coupon rate used as an input to measure fair value. Fair Value Inputs Coupon Rate Coupon rates (as a percent) Represents the estimated redemption period used as an input to measure fair value. Fair Value Inputs Estimated Redemption Period Estimated redemption periods Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate Discount rates (as a percent) Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventories, net Inventory, Raw Materials, Gross Raw materials Inventory, Work in Process, Gross Work in process Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross Finished goods Inventory, Gross Inventories, gross Inventory Valuation Reserves Reserve for inventory excess and obsolescence Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost Payments for purchase of interest The option to increase percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Equity Method Investment, Option To Increase Ownership Percentage Option to increase its ownership percentage Equity Method Investments. Carrying value of investment Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Warranty Reserves Standard Product Warranty Accrual Ending balance Beginning balance Represents the aggregate of (i) the increase in the liability for accruals related to standard product warranties issued during the reporting period and (ii) the increase or decrease in the liability during the reporting period for accruals related to pre-existing standard product warranties (including adjustments related to changes in estimates). Does not include any increase in the liability for accruals related to extended product warranties. Standard Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued and Preexisting Increase (Decrease) Warranty expense Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease) Changes in estimates related to pre-existing warranties Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Payments Warranty costs settled Product Warranty Liability [Table] Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segments [Domain] Represents the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), a segment of the entity. Unmanned Aircraft Systems [Member] UAS Product Warranty Liability [Line Items] Warranty Reserves Product Warranty Expense Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite Lived Intangible Assets Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Licensing Agreements [Member] Licenses Customer Relationships [Member] Customer relationships Trademarks And Trade Names [Member] Trademarks and tradenames Other Intangible Assets [Member] Other Intangibles [Line Items] Intangibles Intangibles, gross Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Less accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Intangibles, net Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived Impairment charge Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain Loss [Member] Available-For-Sale Securities. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Change in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $0 taxes Amount net of taxes of other comprehensive income (loss) unrealized. Unrealized gains, net of $23 of taxes Unrealized gains, net of $19 of taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Other comprehensive income, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax Change in foreign currency translation adjustments Schedule of Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Table] Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items] Contracts to perform R&D activities to customer specifications Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others, Compensation Earned Revenue from customer-funded R&D Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Refers to the Fiscal 2018 LTIP. Fiscal2018 Ltip [Member] Fiscal 2018 LTIP Refers to Fiscal 2017 LTIP. Fiscal2017 Ltip [Member] Fiscal 2017 LTIP Refers to Fiscal 2016 LTIP. Fiscal2016 Ltip [Member] Fiscal 2016 LTIP Award Type [Axis] Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Equity Award [Domain] Performance Shares [Member] Performance based restricted stock units Vesting [Axis] Vesting [Domain] Vesting [Domain] n/a Share Based Compensation Award One Hundred Percent [Member] 100% Vested na Share Based Compensation Award Fifty Percent [Member] 50% Vested na Share Based Compensation Award Two Hundred Percent [Member] 200% Vested Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Long-Term Incentive Awards Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Exercisable period from grant date Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period Performance period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Vesting (as a percentage) Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Stock based compensation expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Income taxes Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective tax benefit rate (as a percent) Amount of reasonable estimate for income tax expense for remeasurement of deferred tax asset from change in tax rate pursuant to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 for which accounting for tax effect is incomplete. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Incomplete Accounting, Change in Tax Rate, Deferred Tax Asset, Provisional Income Tax Expense Deferred tax expense Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Excess tax benefits Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions Reversal of reserve Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Shares repurchased and retired Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Share authorized for future repurchases Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Long-Term Incentive Awards Maximum net value to to design and build prototype solar powered high altitude aircrafts and ground control stations for HAPSMobile and conduct low altitude and high altitude flight tests of the prototype aircrafts. Maximum Net Value For Test Maximum net value Revenue from Related Parties Revenue Due from Related Parties Unbilled related party receivables Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Represents the Efficient Energy Systems (EES) segment of the entity. Efficient Energy Systems [Member] EES Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Intersegment Elimination [Member] Inter-segment and corporate elimination Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Data Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Loss Contingency, Number of Defendants Number of Defendants Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value Total verdict Represents the information pertaining to HAPSMobile. Hapsmobile [Member] HAPSMobile Counterparty Name [Axis] Repurchase Agreement Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Represents the information pertaining to SoftBank. Softbank [Member] SoftBank Scenario [Axis] Scenario Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario Forecast [Member] Expected Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] Type of Arrangement and Non-arrangement Transactions [Axis] Arrangements And Nonarrangement Transactions [Member] Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain] Represents the information pertaining to design and development agreement. Design And Development Agreement [Member] Design and Development Agreement Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event