We are beating a dead horse again it comes down to the ALL MIGHTY DOLLAR, Time is money. Same stuff when the F-18A,C replaced the A-4,A-6, A-7, F-4, soon the best plane eva the EA-6, and the list just gets longer. Tomcat had average 14 man-hours maint. for 1 hour flight time compared to average of 4 man-hours maint. 1 hour flight time on superbug. Do the math it makes sense the F-18 family may not be the "BEST" Interceptor, the "BEST" Dogfighter, the "BEST" Air to ground strike plane, but w/training it does all of the above extremely reliable and well. With all the modern asistance from intel satilites, AWACS, and AEGIS The F-18 Family is very well supported which is probably some of the best on the "GOOD" guys side. I would put my faith in her and her Amazonian big sisters (superbugs) to do the job. And a small reminder the F-18 SuperHornet is a stop gap which is taking on many jobs. Just to list 2 the retired Tomcat's and the failed A-12's till the Navy's JSF comes online ........someday.
Later be safe