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

For the same reason that the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 are still flying after we have developed and fielded the F-22 and F-35. We already have a lot of them. They have a lot of life left. They’re cheaper to operate. Most missions don’t require the special characteristics and capabilities of more advanced aircraft. The newer aircraft are impressive in many respects, but severely lacking in others (range and payload capacities of the stealthy aircraft, due to internal weapons and lack of external fuel tanks, for example)

There’s just no reason to get rid of them.