Sorry but I have to stand by my post. Yes I know how long the B52 has been serving and how well they are maintained, I also know that no matter how well they are taken care of after so many years small cracks start appearing in airframes and other problems appear that are not found until one crashes killing crew or civilians on the ground. It does not happen often but it does happen.
We need a more logical way to pick and purchase just about everything the government buys. By the time it goes through congress and the purchasing chain it has become a nightmare for all involved especially the taxpayer.
Those cracks you mention? That's part of the maintenance I was referring to. At a place I used to work we quoted building brand spanking new spars, ribs, stringers, longerons, etc. for the B-52. The package comprised every structural component in the wings. It seems that all the low altitude bombing we did in the gulf war took it's toll in the old birds which were designed for high altitude bombing runs. A lot of variables go into whether they do refurbs like that and cost isn't the only one. Whether the aircraft's further use fits in the future of our operations and whether a suitable more modern replacement plays a huge roll.
Like I mentioned, there is a HUGE amount of "back scratching" that goes on with defense contracts. As royally screwed up as the process is, it really isn't as bad as it seems to those that haven't been involved in it. But there's no doubt that huge improvements could be made, I do give that. It'd be plain stoopid not to!