The Navy version of the F-111 became the F-14. The tail hook of the F-111 was a disaster. It is manually operated and rips the belly fairings off every time it is used. Not really condusive for flight deck operations.
“The Navy version of the F-111 became the F-14. ...”
No it didn’t.
The F-14 was entirely different, designed and produced by Grumman, to serve as a fleet defense interceptor: completely different mission. No commonality at all, beyond variable-geometry wings and tricycle gear. And those parts were built to different dimensions anyway.
F-14 turned out to be more flexible and adaptable than anyone had anticipated.