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

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 23,186	$ 18,386
Accumulated Amortization	6,053	4,386
Patents [Member]
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Weighted Average Life	12 years
Gross Carrying Amount	1,271	1,271
Accumulated Amortization	760	685
Trade Names [Member]
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	2,453	1,853
Accumulated Amortization	115	7
Trade Names [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Weighted Average Life	10 years
Completed and Unpatented Technology [Member]
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	6,377	5,277
Accumulated Amortization	1,606	1,242
Completed and Unpatented Technology [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Weighted Average Life	11 years
Backlog and Customer Relationships [Member]
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	13,085	9,985
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,572	$ 2,452
Backlog and Customer Relationships [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Summary of acquired intangible assets
Weighted Average Life	5 years