Despite the Air Force always wanting cutting edge bombers, the vast majority of its work is done by these antiques.
So the simple matter is why not build a “more modern” version of the B-52 workhorses? More than anything else, the production should be focused on a small number of things.
1) Better materials. The science and technology of materials has exploded since the 1950s, so that we can make them more durable, lighter, stronger, etc., with little extra cost.
2) Redundancy. One of the biggest advantages of the A-10 Thunderbolt II (”Warthog”) is its redundant systems. Many of these aircraft were just torn apart in combat, yet their pilots could still land them.
3) Low maintenance. It is essential for these aircraft, as they are now so they need to remain.
4) Better engines. This technology has changed a lot. But fuel efficiency and power must be balanced against maintenance and durability.
5) The complete redesign of its weapons bay to maximize it for many different weapons.
They should have done the same with the F-14, instead of moving to the newer but less superior F-18.
Update it to the P & W GTF's and it would take a redesign so it has a weapons bay underneath, not out the back. It is STOL, can go into rough fields, and probably more amenable to Weapons Platform / Cockpit upgrades given it is from the screen era, not steam gages.
That is if the dingbats didn't already destroy the tooling.
How is this not a Win-Win...