There is no good reason to delay the introduction of the F-35A into service after 2010, when the first prototyp of that had its first flight October 24th, 2000. 😮
Pay attention (or learn something about the subject before posting).
The aircraft flown in 2000 was the X-35, NOT the F-35A!!!!!!!
You know… a demonstration aircaft, not even close to being a true prototype!
The F-35A (and the -B & -C) is significantly redesigned from that demonstrator… which had virtually NONE of the avionics installed… just an early version of the flight-control system, and lots of test & measurement equipment.
And no, the redesign was NOT due to any problems… the demonstrator was never intended to do more than prove the basic ability of the maker to deliver a functional product using the desired materials, techniques, and features, and to demonstrate the functionality of specific design features… like the X-35’s lift fan and the X-32’s “cold-thrust” nozzles.
First flight of the first F-35A “low-rate initial production” (would have been designated “YF-35A” before 1980) was on 15 December 2006.
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