Stealth. F-35s munstycke är utformat på det sättet för att minska IR- och radarutsläppen från flygplanet (ibland kallat Low Observable Axisymmetric Nozzle (LOAN)). Från pressmeddelandet som meddelade testresultaten:
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 ...
Enligt 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.
Systemet testades ursprungligen på en F-16. Följande bild visar munstycket medan det testades
DetaljeradbakvyavenstandardP&WF-100-200installeradfortfarandeiLOAN-flygplanetochLOAN-munstycketiförgrunden(LMTAS-foto);bildfrån f-16.net