Actually I’ve been quite curious about this argument about nozzle shielding, since the exit has are still extremely hot (unless mixed with cold air ducted from other places) and that will be bright in IR spectrum regardless of how well the nozzle itself is hidden?
gas，not has… sorry guys
It mix with air quite fast and become blurry. IR lock reduction range is a big help and hard lock on exposed nozzle is way worse than trying to lock hot air... Blocking the hot parts are a way to reduce it a lot.
honestly with frontal hemisphere (an angle which presents no hot exhaust or high temperature engine parts) locking being a thing since at least the 80s I think shielding the nozzles from the side will provide at most a moderate effect on IR decectibility, but I guess every bit counts when designing weapons. Also excellent material, thanks!
any larger image? in fact, where is picture come from?
Apparently from a military magazine called 舰载武器 (naval weapons), but that illustration is directly taken from this tweet:
thank you, just bought this one and July and August edition on Taobao
