What aircraft did the FA/18 Hornet replace?

The FA/18 Hornet was developed in the 1970s and entered service in the 1980s, primarily to serve as a multirole combat aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It was designed to replace several older aircraft, and one of the significant fighters that it replaced was the F-14 Tomcat. The F-14 Tomcat had been in service since the 1970s, known for its variable-swing wings and advanced radar systems, specifically designed for fleet air defense and ground attack.

The F/A-18 Hornet was intended to provide a more versatile platform that could perform a wider range of roles, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. Its design allowed it to operate effectively from the aircraft carriers and adapt to various mission profiles, which made it a preferable choice over the F-14 for many operations. As a result, the F-14 was phased out in favor of the newer, more versatile Hornet, particularly as naval aviation requirements evolved.