Pave Tack

Pave Tack
Name	Pave Tack
Caption	AN/AAS-38 targeting pod on F-4 Phantom II
Origin	United States
Type	Electro-optical/infrared targeting pod
Service	1970s–2000s
Used by	United States Air Force, United States Navy, Royal Air Force
Manufacturer	Texas Instruments, RCA, Hughes Aircraft Company
Weight	900 lb (approx.)
Length	106 in
Width	29 in
Guidance	Laser designator, FLIR

Pave Tack is an airborne electro-optical/infrared targeting system developed for precision-guided munitions in the late 20th century. It integrated forward-looking infrared, laser designator, and stabilized optics to enable accurate delivery of laser-guided bombs by strike aircraft. Pave Tack equipped several McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants and other platforms, influencing subsequent targeting pod designs used by General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, and later models.

Development and History

Development began in response to operational experiences during the Vietnam War and lessons from the Yom Kippur War, when precision targeting needs were highlighted for strike aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and attack sorties from USS Saratoga (CV-60). Programs under the US Department of Defense and procurement offices at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base sought podded solutions similar to projects by Texas Instruments and RCA for laser-guided munitions used in coordination with units like the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing. Early fielding coincided with initiatives from Northrop Grumman and Hughes Aircraft Company to deliver stabilized sensors compatible with weapons integration on platforms maintained at Nellis Air Force Base and tested at ranges such as Edwards Air Force Base.

Design and Technical Specifications

Pave Tack combined an infrared sensors suite with a laser designator and tracking computer, employing stabilized gimbal mounts derived from research at Sandia National Laboratories and systems engineering influenced by Lockheed Martin programs. The pod's FLIR allowed identification of targets at night and through obscurants for delivery of ordnance like the GBU-12 Paveway II and GBU-16 Paveway II; the laser seeker coordinated with guidance systems developed by Raytheon. Avionics interfaces mirrored standards used on NATO platforms and were adapted for wiring and pylons standardized in service with units at RAF Marham and Hill Air Force Base. Power and cooling requirements matched generator outputs on aircraft such as the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark and were vetted against environmental testing procedures from National Aeronautics and Space Administration facilities.

Operational Use and Deployment

Pave Tack was deployed on aircraft assigned to squadrons from United States Air Force tactical wings and United States Navy carrier air wings during peacetime training and contingency operations. Crews from bases like RAF Lakenheath, Elmendorf Air Force Base, and MCAS Miramar integrated the pod into mission planning alongside weapons officers and maintenance units following doctrine shaped by the Air Combat Command and Carrier Air Wing staff. Deployments extended to theater-level operations coordinated with commands such as USCENTCOM and USEUCOM for exercises involving allies like Royal Air Force squadrons and NATO partner units, with logistics supported through depots including Tinker Air Force Base.

Combat Performance and Notable Missions

Operational records cite improved hit probabilities when Pave Tack guided Paveway family munitions during conflicts where platforms like the F-4 Phantom II remained active. Notable missions involved coordinated strike packages where the pod's FLIR enabled positive target identification under conditions that challenged systems on aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the F-15E Strike Eagle. Analyses by tactical studies at RAND Corporation and after-action reports from engagements overseen by US Central Command documented reductions in collateral damage and sortie churn attributable to pod-guided delivery, influencing procurement choices by commands including Pacific Air Forces and USAFE.

Variants and Upgrades

Over time, upgrades to signal processing, cooling, and laser modules paralleled technological advances from firms like Hughes Aircraft Company and Raytheon. Improvements included enhanced sensors comparable to those in later pods offered by L3Harris Technologies and BAE Systems, and integration work to adapt to frames used by air arms including Royal Australian Air Force and Israeli Air Force. Some field modifications involved circuitry and software from contractors such as Northrop Grumman to improve compatibility with mission computers found on platforms like the F-15E Strike Eagle and retrofits overseen at depots like Oceana Naval Air Station.

Operators and Service History

Primary operators included the United States Air Force and United States Navy, with limited service by allied forces within NATO and other partnerships such as the Royal Air Force and export customers coordinated through Defense Security Cooperation Agency arrangements. Units equipped with the pod served in theaters managed by commands like USCENTCOM and USNORTHCOM until newer targeting pods, including systems fielded by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, replaced them in many squadrons. Retirement and storage actions were executed through aircraft sustainment centers at locations including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and industrial partners within the Defense Logistics Agency.

Category:Targeting pods Category:United States military aircraft equipment