Consolidated Ventures - Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2021	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 26, 2021	Sep. 27, 2020
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 689,514	$ 666,240	$ 2,185,279	$ 1,926,795
Cost of revenues	511,852	512,877	1,643,470	1,474,763
Selling, general and administrative expenses	140,170	119,168	428,237	361,945
Total operating expenses	664,652	640,092	2,109,183	1,860,849
Program profit	24,862	26,148	76,096	65,946
Other loss, net	1,174	2,384	6,897	4,338
Net income attributed to PAE Incorporated	29,789	15,318	57,523	37,855
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Revenues	97,986	87,324	300,999	268,969
Cost of revenues	82,913	70,707	249,013	215,866
Selling, general and administrative expenses	18,998	16,595	55,289	50,477
Total operating expenses	101,911	87,302	304,302	266,343
Program profit	(3,925)	22	(3,303)	2,626
Other loss, net	(96)	(32)	(715)	(241)
Net income attributed to PAE Incorporated	$ (4,021)	$ (10)	$ (4,018)	$ 2,385