The F-14D fighter bomber variant was probably the most successful plane the USN ever fielded in that role. Politics killed it.
The budgeteers and procurement officers and pols decided the USN should have an airwing almost entirely comprised of F/A-18s. Today we have probably the weakest carrier air punch that we’ve ever had. (in terms of payloads and range it can be delivered)
And they eventually needed to make room for F35s that carry almost nothing, are slow, short legged, and so far aren’t working.
Maintenance killed it. The F-14 (a seriously bad-ass aircraft) needed more than 20 hours of maintenance performed for every 1 flight hour flown.
The problem with Navy fighters is that they have to compromise payload and performance for the structural integrity needed to withstand carrier take-offs and landings. This makes it hard to sell navy fighters to other countries who don't have carriers. The F/A-18 was a compromise. It could perform U.S. Navy missions while still appeal to other non-carrier nations.