Common Stock Equity Components [Axis] Treasury Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings / Accumulated Deficit Comprehensive Income / Loss Other Comprehensive Income / Loss Noncontrolling Interest Buildings [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Minimum [Member] Range [Axis] Machinery And Equipment [Member] Furniture And Fixtures [Member] Computer Hardware And Software [Member] Maximum [Member] Battery and Energy Products Subsegments [Axis] Communications Systems Discontinued Operations Operating Activities [Axis] Corporate Segments [Axis] DiscontinuedOperations Statement Operating Activities [Axis] Research and Development Expense Income Statement Location [Axis] SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses Battery [Member] Trademarks Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Patents and Technology Customer Relationships Distributor Relationships Greater than $8 million Applicable Margin [Axis] Alternate Base Rate Loans Quarterly Undrawn Borrowing Availability [Axis] $5-$8million Less than $5 million LIBOR Rate Loans Common Stock Shares $3.22-$3.99 Exercise Price [Axis] $4.00-$4.99 $5.00-$9.99 $10-$15 Foreign Geographical [Axis] PNC [Member] Lender Name [Axis] Letter of Credit [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Option Grant 2 [Member] Employment Agreement [Axis] Contingent Restricted Stock Units [Member] Award Type [Axis] President And Chief Executive Officer [Member] Title of Individual [Axis] Option Grant 4 [Member] Option Grant 3 [Member] Option Grant 1 [Member] Market Performance Stock Options [Member] Non Qualified Stock Options [Member] Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Plan Name [Axis] Restricted Stock [Member] Employee Stock Option [Member] Document And Entity Information Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer? Is Entity a Voluntary Filer? Is Entity's Reporting Status Current? Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Trade accounts receivable, net Inventories, net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Due from insurance company Deferred income taxes Total current assets Property, equipment and improvements, net Goodwill Other intangible assets, net Security deposits and other non-current assets Total assets Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable Accrued compensation and related benefits Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Deferred income taxes Income taxes payable Total current liabilities Deferred income taxes Other non-current liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' Equity: Preferred stock Common stock Capital in excess of par value Accumulated deficit Accumulated other comprehensive income Treasury stock, at cost Total Ultralife Equity Noncontrolling interest Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Trade accounts receivable - allowance for doubtful accouns Preferred stock - par value (in dollars per share) Preferred stock - shares authorized Preferred stock - shares issued Preferred stock - shares outstanding Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock - shares authorized Common stock - shares issued Common stock - shares outstanding Treasury stock - shares Income Statement [Abstract] Revenues Cost of products sold Gross profit Operating expenses: Research and defelopment Selling, general and administrative Total operating expenses Operating loss Other (expense) income: Interest income Interest and financing expense Miscellaneous Loss from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax provision Net loss from continuing operations (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax Net loss Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net loss attributable to Ultralife Other comprehensive income - Foreign currency translation adjustments Comprehensive loss attributable to Ultralife Net loss per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - basic: (in dollars per share): Continuing operations Discontinued operations Total Weighted average shares outstanding - basic Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net loss Loss (gain) from discontinued operations, net of tax Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization of financing fees Amortization of intangible assets Loss on long-lived asset impairment and disposals Foreign exchange loss Stock-based compensation Changes in deferred income taxes Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Due from insurance company Income taxes receivable and payable Accounts payable and other liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid for property, equipment and improvements Change in restricted cash Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations Net cash used in investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid to repurchase treasury stock Proceeds from exercise of stock options Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Income taxes paid Construction in Process in accounts payable Interest paid Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Beginning balance Beginning balance - shares Shares issued to directors - amount Shares issued to directors - shares Shares issued on stock option exercise - amount Shares issued on stock option exercise - shares Stock compensation - options Stock compensation - restricted stock Foreign currency translation adjustments Vesting of restricted stock - amount Vesting of restricted stock - shares Purchase of stock Ending balance Ending balance - shares Note 1 - Summary Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract] Dispositions, Relocations and Exit Activities Note 3 - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Note 4 - Operating Leases Operating Leases Note 5 - Debt Note 5 - Debt Note 6 - Commitments And Contingencies Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies Note 7 - Shareholders Equity Note 7 - Shareholders' Equity Note 8 - Income Taxes Note 8 - Income Taxes Note 9 - 401k Retirement Benefit Plan Note 9 - 401(k) Retirement Benefit Plan Note 10 - Business Segment Information Note 10 - Business Segment Information Note 11 - Fire At Manufacturing Facility Note 11 - Fire at Manufacturing Facility Accounting Policies [Abstract] Principles of Consolidation Use of Estimates Reclassifications Cash and Cash Equivalents Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Inventories Property, Plant and Equipment Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangibles Translation of Foreign Currency Revenue Recognition Warranty Reserves Shipping and Handling Costs Advertising Expenses Research and Development Environmental Costs Income Taxes Concentration Related to Customers and Suppliers Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Earnings (Loss) Per Share Stock-Based Compensation Segment Reporting Recent Accounting Pronouncements Note 1 - Summary Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies Tables Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Note 3 - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Tables Inventory Major classes of property, plant and equipment Goodwill activity by segment Composition of intangible assets Amortization of intangible assets Note 4 - Operating Leases Tables Future minimum lease payments - operating leases Note 6 - Commitment And Contingencies Tables Changes in product warranty liability Note 7 - Shareholders Equity Tables Option assumptions Stock option activity Options - range of exercise prices Note 8 - Income Taxes Tables Income tax provision Deferred income taxes Net deferred tax liabilities Loss from continuing operations Income tax rate reconciliation Uncertainty in income taxes Note 10 - Business Segment Information Tables Business segment information Domestic and international revenue by segment Sector revenue by segment Note 1 - Summary Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Activity Details Balance at beginning of year Amounts charged to expense Net write-offs (recoveries) Balance at beginning of year Estimated Useful Life Note 1 - Summary Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies Details Narrative Impairments of long-lived assets Impairments of indefinite lived intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized Advertising Expense Total research and development spending Customer sponsored R&D included in cost of goods sold Revenue recognized relating to customer sponsored R&D Write-off of capitalized costs - NYSERDA project Significant customer disclosure - revenue from large defense contractor Significant customers - trade accounts receivable - largest Significant customers - trade accounts receivable - next largest Employee stock options excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share Note 2 - Dispositions Relocations And Exit Activities - New Lease Details New lease term Number of rent-free months Monthly rent payments - RMB - first three years Monthly rent payments - RMB - last two years Monthly rent payments - first three years Monthly rent payments - last two years Government reimbursement received - China factory move Total estimated expenses of China factory move Government reimbursement recognized - China factory move Expenses recognized - China factory move Estimated expenses to be incurred - China factory move Estimated revenue to be recognized - China move Note 3 - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information - Components Of Inventory Details Raw materials Work in process Finished products Total Note 3 - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Details Land Buildings and leasehold improvements Machinery and equipment Furniture and fixtures Computer hardware and software Construction in progress Total Less-Accumulated depreciation Total Amortization expense Goodwill - beginning Effect of foreign currency translation Goodwill - ending Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Note 3 - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Details Narrative Depreciation expense Note 4 - Operating Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments Details 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Note 4 - Operating Leases - Rent Expense Details Narrative Rent expense ApplicableMarginAxis [Axis] QuarterlyUndrawnBorrowingAvailabilityAxis [Axis] Interest Rate Margin on Outstanding Borrowings Note 5 - Debt Details Narrative Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Letter of credit facility Potential Credit Facility Increase (in Dollars) Line Of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage Of Eligible Accounts Receivable Line Of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage Of Eligible Accounts Line Of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage Of Book Value Of Eligible Inventory Line Of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage Of Appraised Net Orderly Liquidation Value Of Eligible Inventory Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding (in Dollars) Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity (in Dollars) Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value (in Dollars) Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio Note 6 - Commitments And Contingencies - Warranties Details Balance, January 1 Warranties issued Settlements made Balance, December 31 Note 7 - Shareholders Equity - Stock Option Assumptions Details Risk-free interest rate Volatility factor Dividends Weighted average expected life (years) Forfeiture rate Note 7 - Shareholders Equity - Stock Option Activity Details Shares under option - beginning Options granted Options exercised Options forfeited or expired Shares under option - ending Shares under option - exercisable - ending Shares under option vested and expected to vest - ending Weighted average exercise price per share of options outstanding - beginning Weighted average exercise price per share of options granted Weighted average exercise price per share of options exercised Weighted average exercise price per share of options forfeited or expired Weighted average exercise price per share of options outstanding - ending Weighted average exercise price per share of options exercisable - ending Weighted average exercise price per share of options vested and expected to vest - ending Weighted average remaining contractual term of options outstanding - ending Weighted average remaining contractual term of options exercisable - ending Weighted average remaining contractual term of options vested and expected to vest - ending Shares under option - ending - aggregate intrinsic value Shares exercisable - ending - aggregate intrinsic value Shares vested and expected to vest - aggregate intrinsic value Note 7 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Table] Note 7 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items] Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Services (in Dollars) Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury Stock, Value (in Dollars) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized for Grants other than Options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number (2004 LTIP) Share Price (in Dollars per share) Share Based Payment Award, Options, Annual Incremental Vesting Minimum Share Price Requirement (in Dollars per share) Number of days in period minimum share price requirement Number Of Days In Period, Minimum Share Price Requirement, Term Share Based Payment Award, Options, Term Share-based Compensation (in Dollars) Share-based compensation relating to options Share-based compensation relating to restricted stock units - CEO Share-based compensation relating to restricted stock units - others Grant date fair value of restricted stock units awarded Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized (in Dollars) Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value (in Dollars) Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised (in Dollars) Stock repurchase plan - shares authorized to be repurchased Total shares repurchased Cost of shares repurchased Shares repurchased under share repurchase plan Shares repurchased under share repurchase plan - value Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized (in Dollars) Shares of common stock reserved for issuance under all plans Exercise Price Range [Axis] Number of options outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted average exercise price Number of options exercisable Weighed average exercise price - exercisable Note 8 - Income Taxes - Provison Details Current federal tax provision Current state tax provision Current foreign tax provision Total current tax provision Deferred federal tax provision Deferred state tax provision Deferred foreign tax provision (benefit) Total deferred tax provision (benefit) Total income tax provision Note 8 - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Details Deferred tax liabilities: Property, Plant and Equipment Intangible Assets Total deferred tax liabilities Deferred tax assets: Property, Plant and Equipment Net operating loss carryforwards Tax credit carryforwards Intangible assets Accrued expenses, reserves and other Total deferred tax assets Valuation allowance Net deferred tax assets Net deferred tax liabilities Note 8 - Income Taxes - Net Deferred Tax Liabilities Comprised Of Following Balance Sheet Accounts Details Current deferred tax assets Current deferred tax liabilities Non-current deferred tax liabilities Net deferred tax liabilities Note 8 - Income Taxes - United States And Foreign Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Details United States Foreign Note 8 - Income Taxes - Effecitve Rate Reconciliation Details Statutory income tax rate (Increase) decrease in tax provision resulting from: Equity compensation Income tax credits Foreign tax rates Valuation allowance Other Effective income tax rates Note 8 - Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits Details Balance - beginning of year Decreases related to prior year tax positions Balance - end of year Note 8 - Income Taxes Details Narrative Increase in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets Net operating loss carryforward Net operating loss carryforward - domestic Net operating loss carryforward - foreign Tax credit carryforwards Net operating loss carryforward for which a benefit will be recorded in capital when realized Note 9 - 401k Retirement Benefit Plan Details Narrative Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, As A Percentage Of Employee's Contribution Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Employee Contribution Percentage Subject To Employer Matching Contribution Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan. Employer discretionary contribution StatementOperatingActivitiesAxis [Axis] Revenue Segment contribution Interest expense, net Miscellaneous Income tax provision Income (loss) from discontinued operations Noncontrolling interest Net loss attributable to Ultralife Total assets Capital expenditures Depreciation and amortization Long-lived assets Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract] Business Interruption Loss, Gross Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Operating Activities Gain on Business Interruption Insurance Recovery Insurance Settlements Receivable Business Interruption, Insurance Deductible Business Interruption Loss, Gross Business Interruption, Insurance Deductible PNC Line Of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage Of Eligible Accounts Receivable Line Of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage Of Book Value Of Eligible Inventory Line Of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Percentage Of Appraised Net Orderly Liquidation Value Of Eligible Inventory Employment Agreement Axis Option Grant #2 Member Contingent restricted stock units. Option Grant #4 Member Option Grant #3 Member Option Grant #1 Member Market performance stock options. Long-Term Incentive Plan Non Qualified Stock Options Share Based Payment Award, Options, Annual Incremental Vesting Minimum Share Price Requirement Number Of Days In Period, Minimum Share Price Requirement. Number Of Days In Period, Minimum Share Price Requirement, Term Share Based Payment Award, Options, Term Assets, Current Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current Liabilities, Current Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Liabilities Treasury Stock, Carrying Basis Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Liabilities and Equity Gross Profit Operating Expenses Interest and Debt Expense Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Settlements Receivable Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash 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 Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Product Warranty Accrual Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedRestrictedStock Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Deferred Tax Assets, Property, Plant and Equipment Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign Unrecognized Tax Benefits Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount InterestExpenseNetOfInterestIncome