Consolidated Ventures - Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 27, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 747,198	$ 643,303	$ 1,495,765	$ 1,260,556
Cost of revenues	564,952	496,678	1,131,618	961,886
Selling, general and administrative expenses	142,776	105,451	288,067	242,777
Total operating expenses	720,359	610,176	1,444,531	1,220,757
Program profit	26,839	33,127	51,234	39,799
Other (loss) income, net	3,922	1,168	5,723	1,954
Net income (loss) attributed to PAE Incorporated	14,350	(3,446)	27,734	22,538
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Revenues	111,486	94,454	203,013	181,644
Cost of revenues	90,989	76,634	166,100	145,159
Selling, general and administrative expenses	18,793	15,864	36,291	33,881
Total operating expenses	109,783	92,498	202,391	179,040
Program profit	1,703	1,956	622	2,604
Other (loss) income, net	(395)	840	(619)	(209)
Net income (loss) attributed to PAE Incorporated	$ 1,308	$ 2,796	$ 3	$ 2,395