Why doesn't F-35 have trailing edge treatment?

[garrya]

AFAIK to minimize edge scattering from the leading edges, panels and creeping wave return trailing edges, stealth aircraft uses surface wave absorber in these locations. This surface wave absorber is very easy to identify due to their distinct color from the rest of the aircraft. However, I have noticed that F-35 doesn't have surface wave treatment on the trailing edge of its main wing (it still got that treatment on the horizontal and vertical stabilators. On the other hand, on stealth aircraft such as B-2, F-22 or J-20 this treatment is clearly visible.
F-22

J-20

B-2

b-2.PNG (425.08 KiB) Viewed 189248 times

F-35

[steve2267]

Perhaps it's baked in? Numerous stories about material advances made as part of the JSF program. For example, reference the "doormat" at LM in Fort Worth -- typically cited about the durability and toughness of the stealth being baked into the materials and as an advance over the F-22 technology.

OR, perhaps they did a trade study on what they were giving up by not having a trailing edge treatment on the wing? And decided that the gains or advantages did not justify the cost.

Conjecture on my part, on both points, though.

[wrightwing]

I think it's probably safe to say that there aren't any oversights, with regard to signature reduction. They may not be visible to the naked eye, but they're in place.

[garrya]

Perhaps it's baked in? Numerous stories about material advances made as part of the JSF program. For example, reference the "doormat" at LM in Fort Worth -- typically cited about the durability and toughness of the stealth being baked into the materials and as an advance over the F-22 technology.

I was having the same idea, but the horizontal and vertical stabilators, the inlet lips, and the leading edge clearly have that treatment. Thus, I came to the conclusion that the trailing edge of the main wing doesn't have it. It is interesting to note that the gap between the flaps and the main wing also have the treatment

[count_to_10]

Perhaps it's baked in? Numerous stories about material advances made as part of the JSF program. For example, reference the "doormat" at LM in Fort Worth -- typically cited about the durability and toughness of the stealth being baked into the materials and as an advance over the F-22 technology.

I was having the same idea, but the horizontal and vertical stabilators, the inlet lips, and the leading edge clearly have that treatment. Thus, I came to the conclusion that the trailing edge of the main wing doesn't have it. It is interesting to note that the gap between the flaps and the main wing also have the treatment

Consider that the entire flap may be made of that material.

[garrya]

Consider that the entire flap may be made of that material.

This is what I can find, it seems that the flaps are made from the same material as the horizontal stabs

main-qimg-13569fae847dd508554adb755032ae75.gif (68.42 KiB) Viewed 188909 times

[eloise]

AFAIK to minimize edge scattering from the leading edges, panels and creeping wave return trailing edges, stealth aircraft uses surface wave absorber in these locations. This surface wave absorber is very easy to identify due to their distinct color from the rest of the aircraft. However, I have noticed that F-35 doesn't have surface wave treatment on the trailing edge of its main wing (it still got that treatment on the horizontal and vertical stabilators. On the other hand, on stealth aircraft such as B-2, F-22 or J-20 this treatment is clearly visible.

Look carefully, there are RAM tapes on the connection point between flap and wing

[doge]

I will take the courage to try post it... (challeng)
These photos are, The color of the trailing edge itself doesn't it look slightly different from the main wing? (Really slightly...)
It looks so in my eyes... Or is it the illusion by light intensity/angle? I do not understand at all... I'm sorry.

[eloise]

From one of Lockheed Martin official video