F-35: 17 Years From Prototype to Full Fledge Production - What Took So Long?

The Pentagon has approved full-rate manufacture of the F-35A fighter plane after 17 years of research. Extensive testing was required to validate its multi-role capabilities in air, ground, and marine operations. Integration with modern training simulators was a significant remaining barrier before manufacturing ramped up. While the United States is still years away from complete operational capabilities, its partners have different timeframes. Note: AI Voice Used Visuals - US DoD, Lockheed Martin