> the tail arrangement is made to block the IR from most angles. I'm no expert, but the exhaust doesn't look hidden to me. A missile (surface to air) usually

> the tail arrangement is made to block the IR from most angles. I'm no expert, but the exhaust doesn't look hidden to me. A missile (surface to air) usually sees the airplane from behind and below. This image [1] is an example. Even from a side, while the horizontal stabilizer partly covers it, you can still clearly see the exhaust [2]. Compare that to A-10 engines and stabilizer. This image [3] is from the same angle as [1]. The engine exhaust is completely behind the horizontal stabilizer. This image [4], same angle as [2], shows the engine exhaust covered by vertical stabilizer. A-10 is not the same type of plane, but just by looking at the differences, I very much doubt that they even tried to hide the exhaust in F-35. > You also can't see the hot engine inlet because again, it is hidden behind other bits. Engine inlet isn't hot. [1] https://n.sinaimg.cn/sinakd20120/133/w2000h1333/20200915/3f8a-izeysaz2129984.jpg https://n.sinaimg.cn/sinakd20120/133/w2000h1333/20200915/3f8... [2] https://cdn-cavok.nuneshost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/F-35_Lockheed_deliveries1.jpeg https://cdn-cavok.nuneshost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/F... [3] https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/a-single-a-10-warthog-aircraft-is-wildly-expensive-but-thats-not-the-worst-part/l-intro-1775293141.jpg https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/a-single-a-10-warthog-... [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A-10_Thunderbolt_II_Gun_Run.JPEG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A-10_Thunderbolt_II_Gun_R...