[Don W]

You are aware that the F-18 Super Hornet is a completely different aircraft from the original F-18, right?

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18.htm

[rdcbn]

Yes, I am aware of the re design for the Super Hornet as well as the most recent upgrades developed over the last several years which make it an even more capable aircraft than it already is.

The Super Hornet has proved to be an outstanding aircraft, but there was a lot of controversy and pretty stiff criticism and resistance to it's adoption when it was in the acquisition pipeline, much the same as the JSF is facing today.