Eli5 why does the US still use a bomber from the 1950s when they have built two newer ones since then?

Question

Eli5 why does the US still use a bomber from the 1950s when they have built two newer ones since then?

In: 7

Answer 1

Cost of operation and readiness ratio. The B1 and B2 make trade-offs in cost, fuel efficiency, and range. USAF doctrine is to achieve complete air supremacy, at which point the lack of stealth or speed on the B-52 isn’t relevant anymore. We own the sky.