Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Current assets: Current assets: [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $280 at March 31, 2013 and $322 at December 31, 2012) Inventories Due from insurance company Deferred tax asset - current Income taxes receivable Prepaid expenses and other current assets Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Other assets: Other assets: [Abstract] Goodwill Intangible assets, net It includes the amount of an asset, typically cash, provided to a counterparty to provide certain assurance of performance by the entity pursuant to the terms of a written or oral agreement, such as a lease and the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Security deposits and other long-term assets Total Assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract] Current liabilities: Current liabilities: [Abstract] Accounts payable Income taxes payable Deferred tax liability - current Other current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term liabilities: Long-term liabilities: [Abstract] Deferred tax liability - long-term Other long-term liabilities Total long-term liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Shareholders' equity: Shareholders' equity: [Abstract] Ultralife equity: Ultralife equity: [Abstract] Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share, authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding Common stock, par value $0.10 per share, authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued - 18,831,734 at March 31, 2013 and 18,828,734 at December 31, 2012 Capital in excess of par value Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated deficit Less --Treasury stock, at cost -- 1,372,757 shares at March 31, 2013 and 1,372,757 shares at December 31, 2012 outstanding Total Ultralife equity Noncontrolling interest Total shareholders' equity Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Trade accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars) 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 Treasury securities, common shares Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) [Abstract] Component of Other Operating Cost and Expense, Name [Domain] Revenues Cost of products sold Gross profit Operating expenses: Operating expenses: [Abstract] Research and development (including $56 and $65, respectively, of amortization of intangible assets) Selling, general, and administrative (including $45 and $60, respectively, of amortization of intangible assets) Total operating expenses Operating income (loss) Other income (expense): Other income (expense): [Abstract] Interest income Interest expense Miscellaneous Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax provision-current Income tax provision-deferred Total income taxes provision Net income (loss) from continuing operations Discontinued operations: Discontinued operations: [Abstract] Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Net income (loss) Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife Other comprehensive income (loss): Other comprehensive income (loss): [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ultralife Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - basic Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - basic [Abstract] Continuing operations (in Dollars per share) Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share) Total (in Dollars per share) Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - diluted Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - diluted [Abstract] Continuing operations (in Dollars per share) Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share) Total (in Dollars per share) Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in Shares) Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in Shares) Amortization of Intangible Assets Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract] Net income (loss) Loss (gain) from discontinued operations, net of tax Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided from operating activities: [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization of financing fees Amortization of intangible assets (Gain) loss on long-lived asset disposal and write-offs Foreign exchange gain Non-cash stock-based compensation Changes in deferred income taxes Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Changes in operating assets and liabilities: [Abstract] Accounts receivable Inventories Income taxes receivable Prepaid expenses and other assets Insurance receivable relating to fires Accounts payable and other liabilities Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities from continuing operations Net cash provided from operating activities from discontinued operations Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract] Purchase of property and equipment Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations Net cash used in investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract] The cash inflow from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with either short term or long term maturity that is collateralized (backed by pledge, mortgage or other lien in the entity's assets).and the cash outflow to pay off an obligation from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with either short term or long term maturity. Net change in revolving credit facility Proceeds from issuance of common stock Net cash provided from financing activities from continuing operations Net cash provided from financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract] Cash paid for income taxes Cash paid for interest Note 1 - Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Note 2 - Dispositions and Exit Activities Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Note 3 - Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Note 4 - Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Note 5 - Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long Term Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Note 6 - Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Note 7 - Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Note 8 - Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Note 9 - Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Note 11 - Business Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Note 12 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Note 13 - Fire at Manufacturing Facility Business Insurance Recoveries [Text Block] Note 14 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block] Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Credit Facility, Variable Interest Rate Table Credit Facility, Variable Interest Rate [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Domain] Net sales Income (Loss) from discontinued operations Provision (Benefit) for income taxes Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Composition of inventories Composition of inventories [Abstract] Raw materials Work in process Finished goods Major classes of property, plant and equipment Major classes of property, plant and equipment [Abstract] Land Buildings and leasehold improvements Machinery and equipment Furniture and fixtures Computer hardware and software Construction in progress