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I think the cost is one of the deciding factors...

They'll just keep upgrading the F-18 design, new avionics, better engines, airframe tweaks. Way cheaper than the F-35.

The B-52's are still in service after 60+ years, with pretty much everything upgraded several times over.

You can't make the F-18 a stealth fighter. But those planes will still be used for a long time. The F-15 may even be making a small comeback: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a26413900...

No, but probably 95% of air combat operations don't need stealth (well, as long as you have air superiority).