EM/CM - The SE and JSF are very different as far as development is concerned. The main new bits on the SE are the conformal weapon bays. The external aerodynamics/mass &c are the same as the existing CFTs, so testing an F-15E and firing an AMRAAM does help clear up the remaining unknowns. I suspect that other RCS measures have been tested here and there.
Otherwise, a lot of the new stuff on SE - AESA, Mk 2 helmet, BAE EW system - is already extant or in full-scale development for Saudi.
EM - How use would the Sniper or JSF EOTS be today?
Weather Forecast - North Korea, KR - Local & Long Range | Weather Underground
Note... that is just a snapshot for April 5. But it drives home the point that this ain't Iraq.
HQ - The roll posts are located at the wing-body junction. Supposedly they don't interfere with the inboard pylons... but then, the F-35 KPP does not call for the ability to VL with anything other than internal stores. Some interesting questions have been raised about an asymmetric hung-store case and whether the roll posts have the authority needed to counter that and provide control
I'm not sure what your point is here LO the JSF has EO/IR and SAR/GMTI modes so hence that all aspect thing, having all of them gives you an all weather capability.