Why did the United States have limited aircraft production capabilities during World War 1?

The correct choice highlights that most of the aircraft used by the United States during World War I were actually supplied by the French. At that time, the U.S. aviation industry was not fully developed, and France had a more established capability in aircraft production due to its experience from the earlier stages of the war. Consequently, the U.S. relied on allied nations like France for the bulk of the aircraft needed to support military operations.

This reliance on foreign supply contributed to the limitations in the U.S.'s domestic aircraft production capacities. While there were efforts to improve production capabilities, these initiatives progressed slowly, and the U.S. military aviation forces were not as robust compared to their allies until later in the war. Additionally, the availability of sophisticated French aircraft technology and designs played a significant role in the U.S. military’s operational strategies, rendering the reliance on French aircraft quite significant during this period.