Astronics Corporation Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Intangible Assets - Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Life	8 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 141,859	$ 122,005
Accumulated Amortization	29,826	27,014
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Life	6 years
Gross Carrying Amount	2,146	2,146
Accumulated Amortization	1,124	1,077
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Life	9 years
Gross Carrying Amount	8,217	8,304
Accumulated Amortization	1,472	1,288
Completed and Unpatented Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Life	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	17,957	18,107
Accumulated Amortization	4,852	4,396
Backlog and Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Life	12 years
Gross Carrying Amount	113,539	93,448
Accumulated Amortization	$ 22,378	$ 20,253