Garvin wrote: “One Size Fits All” worked with the F-4 Phantom (Navy, Marines and Air Force) though.”
There was a critical difference with the F-4. It was not developed as a “one size fits all”. It was originally developed by the USN. One set of requirements, one spec. The F-4 was later adopted by the USAF essentially unchanged.
These “one size fits all” aircraft are developed by a consortium of services with the intent of incorporating all their diverse requirements. The multiplicity of requirements and management structures results in complexity, increased costs, and program delays.
There was a very good paper on how the Marine’s ruined the F-35 by insisting it had to have vertical take off capability. We really should pull the plug on the F-35.
Google, Bing: F-35 Deployed. You might be surprised.