Furtividade. O bocal do F-35 foi projetado dessa maneira para reduzir as emissões de infravermelho e infravermelho da aeronave (às vezes chamado de Low Axisymmetric Nozzle (LOAN)). Do comunicado de imprensa que anunciou os resultados do teste:
GE Aircraft Engines' new LO Axi (Low Observable Axisymmetric) Exhaust System was successfully tested recently ... testing being conducted under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Technology Maturation Program ...
De acordo com a GE,
... LO Axi Nozzle was installed by the South Dakota Air National Guard in an F-16C and ground-tested to verify installation compatibility with an operational aircraft system. Both infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) measurements were made by GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) with the F110-GE-100 engine operating at power settings ranging from idle to maximum afterburner. The resulting test data verified that the LO Axi Nozzle achieves its installed signature goals during operation.
In addition to geometrical shaping and special materials for signature control, the LO Axi Nozzle also incorporates an ejector that enhances nozzle cooling.
O sistema foi originalmente testado em um F-16. A imagem a seguir mostra o bico enquanto estava sendo testado
Vista traseira detalhada de um P & W W-100-200 padrão ainda instalado no avião de EMPRÉSTIMO e o bico de EMPRÉSTIMO em primeiro plano (foto LMTAS); imagem de f-16.net