Thomas Instrument Wins $24 Million Air Force B-1 Brake Sensor Remanufacturing Contract

Thomas Instrument of Brookshire, Texas, has won an Air Force Sustainment Center contract with an estimated total value of $23.5 million to remanufacture B-1 asymmetry brake sensors. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity award covers work at Brookshire expected to continue through Sept. 24, 2031. The sensors support three operating modes identified by the Air Force: Operational, Flap Selection/Fail Operational, and Fail-Safe.

B-1 Asymmetry Brake Sensor Remanufacture Details

Thomas will remanufacture sensors used in those three B-1 operating modes. The award is a component-sustainment requirement for aircraft already in service, rather than a purchase of new aircraft or an aircraft-wide modernization effort.

The Air Force Sustainment Center’s accessories section at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is managing the contract, while Thomas will perform the remanufacturing in Brookshire. The contract’s estimated total value covers work that may be ordered over its performance period; no funds were obligated at award.

B-1B Fleet Background

The sensor award comes as the Air Force continues to sustain its B-1B fleet. Its fiscal 2027 aircraft procurement request lists 44 B-1Bs and says the weapon system can be supported through the mid-2030s. The request proposes $146.9 million for modifications to in-service B-1Bs, up from the $73.9 million proposed in the fiscal 2026 request. Those proposed modification funds cover broader aircraft work, not this sensor contract specifically.

Award and Contractor Background

The Air Force competed the sensor contract and received one offer. Thomas Instrument has performed earlier B-1B asymmetry flap/slat brake-sensor work, including an order valued at about $918,000 with a potential performance end in August 2025 and another valued at about $704,000 with a potential performance end in December 2025.

Thomas also received a $25.3 million Air Force contract in May 2020 to remanufacture B-1B left- and right-hand hydraulic heat exchangers. That separate B-1B sustainment award drew two offers and had an expected completion date in September 2025.

This award was disclosed by the DoW in its daily press release. Additional contract details will be available on HigherGov in approximately 90 days under FA811826D0037 after the contract is formally disclosed by the government.