Now I just have to pose a question.....just what does the B-57 platform do that a modified Drone can not?
The drone with the closest performance to the WB-57F Canberra is the RQ-4 Global Hawk (and its derivatives). It carries a 2000 lb sensor payload to 60,000 ft. The Canberra carries a 6000 lb sensor payload to 70,000 ft. Also, the nature of the Global Hawk design makes sensor integration complicated and limits aperture size/placement for those sensors. The Canberra carries its sensor package in a flexible "pallet" with much more flexible aperture size and location. This means highly "custom" sensor packages can be fitted and integrated quickly and (relatively) easily. The Canberra's engines are also capable of producing far more electrical power than the Global Hawk's. This additional power is required for some of the highly customized sensor packages. The Canberra has a two man crew. Having the sensor operator "in situ" can be highly advantageous (or outright required) in many scenarios. And finally, being crewed, the Canberra can fly anywhere at anytime, including commercial airspace, in and out of commercial airports. and over highly populated areas. Drones are limited to where they can fly. And it is a (relatively) simple task to deploy a Canberra over long distances anywhere. It is VERY complicated to deploy an unmanned drone (and its large logistic/command and control tail) over long distances to many places.