Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,714,628	$ 2,763,893	$ 2,608,562
Cost of revenues	2,098,153	2,183,574	1,991,622
Selling, general and administrative expenses	498,827	530,080	536,019
Amortization of intangible assets	34,154	33,205	35,780
Total operating expenses	2,631,134	2,746,859	2,563,421
Program profit	83,494	17,034	45,141
Other income, net	7,272	9,785	4,980
Operating income	90,766	26,819	50,121
Interest expense, net	(73,857)	(86,011)	(84,360)
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,909	(59,192)	(34,239)
Expense (benefit) from income taxes	3,083	(9,131)	(2,661)
Net income (loss)	13,826	(50,061)	(31,578)
Noncontrolling interest in earnings of ventures	(1,464)	(252)	2,881
Net income (loss)	$ 15,290	$ (49,809)	$ (34,459)
Net income (loss) per share attributed to PAE Incorporated:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ (2.36)	$ (1.63)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ (2.36)	$ (1.63)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	84,114,016	21,127,823	21,127,823
Diluted (in shares)	85,369,328	21,127,823	21,127,823