Description of Business	6 Months Ended
Description of Business	Jun. 27, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business PAE Incorporated, formerly known as Gores Holdings III, Inc. (“Gores III”), was originally incorporated in Delaware on October 23, 2017 as a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more target businesses. On September 11, 2018, Gores III consummated its initial public offering (the “IPO”), following which our shares began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). Unless the context otherwise indicates, references herein to the “Company" or “PAE” refer to PAE Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries. On February 10, 2020 (the “Closing Date”), the Company completed the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) in which Shay Holding Corporation (“Shay”) was acquired by Gores III. The transaction was completed in a multi-step process pursuant to which Shay ultimately merged with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gores III, with the Gores III subsidiary continuing as the surviving company. As a result of the Business Combination, each share of common stock of Shay was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a portion of the consideration payable in connection with the transaction and Gores III acquired Shay (as it existed immediately prior to the Second Merger, as such term is defined in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 1, 2019, by and among Gores III, EAP Merger Sub, Inc., EAP Merger Sub II, LLC, Shay, and Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC (in its capacity as the stockholder representative) (the “Merger Agreement”)) and its subsidiaries. Additionally, the stockholders of Shay as of immediately prior to the transaction held a portion of the common stock of the Company. For accounting purposes, the Business Combination is treated as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization (the “Recapitalization”), in which Shay is considered the accounting acquirer (and legal acquiree) and Gores III is considered the accounting acquiree (and legal acquirer). Accordingly, as of the Closing Date, Shay’s historical results of operations replaced Gores III’s historical results of operations for periods prior to the Business Combination and the results of operations of both companies are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for periods following the Closing Date. See Note 6 - “Business Combinations and Acquisitions” for additional information. PAE provides a wide variety of integrated support solutions, including defense and military readiness, diplomacy, intelligence support, business process outsourcing, counter-terrorism solutions, peacekeeping, development, host nation capacity building, aircraft and ground equipment maintenance and logistics, and operations and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure. Customers include agencies of the U.S. Government, such as the Department of Defense (“DoD”) and Department of State (“DoS”), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”), Department of Homeland Security, intelligence community agencies and other civilian agencies, as well as allied foreign governments and international organizations. The Company’s operations are currently organized into the following two reportable segments: •Global Mission Services (“GMS”): GMS provides infrastructure and logistics management, international logistics and stabilization support, and aircraft and vehicle readiness and sustainment support. The segment focuses on customer relationships with DoD, DoS, NASA, and other government agencies for work both in the United States and outside of the United States. •National Security Solutions (“NSS”): NSS provides counter-threat solutions, business process outsourcing, adjudication support services and full life cycle support for complex legal matters. NSS focuses on customer relationships in the areas of intelligence, defense and security, and with civilian agencies. The Company separately presents the costs associated with certain corporate functions as “Corporate”, which primarily include costs that are not reimbursed by the Company’s U.S. Government customers.