What is the Hornet replacing?

• A. The F-4 Phantom
• B. The F-14 Tomcat
• C. The F-16 Fighting Falcon
• D. The A-6 Intruder

Answer: (A)

The F/A-18 Hornet was introduced to consolidate air-to-air capability with precision air-to-ground attack in a single, carrier-capable platform. The F-4 Phantom II, while versatile, carried older avionics and weapons concepts and required more maintenance for a similar multirole mission. The Hornet offers modern radar, integrated systems, and the ability to carry a wide mix of weapons, including precision-guided munitions, enabling it to perform both fighter and attack tasks more efficiently. This combination lets Marines streamline their aviation fleet by replacing the older two-seat, less capable design with a single, more capable multirole aircraft. Therefore, in this context, the Hornet replaces the F-4 Phantom II.