An exhaust system having a protective arrangement includes a plurality of spaced overlapping inclined armor plate blockers providing a ballistic shield over the entire exhaust area. A louvered grate is provided extending between the tops of the blockers to permit egress of gases from the engine but to block destructive elements from being thrown into the interior of an engine. Cooling air is supplied to the blockers and is caused to move along a path which carries it across the surfaces of the blockers so as to materially reduce the temperature of these surfaces. Further, this cooling air is directed not only over surfaces of the blockers which are directly visible externally of the vehicle, but also over a surface which, while not directly visible from the exterior of the vehicle, is a potential source of reflected heat which could be sensed exteriorly of the vehicle.