From what I've been told, the B52 has relatively low operating cost and can stay up in the air pretty much indefinitely by being refueled in air by KC-135s.
source: I was an air traffic controller in the US Air Force
Mid air refueling, electronic warfare & military technology integration, speed in combat zone, integrity while under enemy fire.
They are are very different points than I ever imagined you would have to consider for a bomber.
The B52s gigantic wings make a ton more sense now. They're incredibly large so they produce vastly more lift/other specifications than required in case holes are shot in the bomber.
Lesson I've learnt today is listen more to the experts.