[Psalm 73]

Eight engine configuration is a proven design for the B-52, have not heard of a rational reason (or plan) for changing it.

That said, I thought this was interesting:
"...equipping a B-52H with CONECT requires nearly 7,000 man-hours to complete, or approximately nine months per aircraft."

7K man-hours sounds like a near-complete aircraft rewire.

[Bidimus1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Old_Dog

Fact follows fiction ;)

[driftdiver]

Wikipedia has an explanation for staying with the 8 engine config. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-52_Stratofortress#Engines

Basically cost to do the upgrade and upgrade the tools, training, and so forth in the supply chain.

One of their arguments is it will reduce global warming so they must be grasping at straws.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

It just seems pretty penny wise and pound foolish.

8 17k engines versus 4 74k very reliable low maintenance.

I guess that’s the hallmark of today’s military.