Would the AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk FLIR targeting pod take up a hardpoint, in place of another weapon, when completing an F/A-18 data forms?

 

Thanks

Unless someone can come up with a more recent example, the 1994 Harpoon Naval Review indicates in its F/A-18C data form #20 (page 152) that the AAS-138 FLIR Pod and ASQ-73 Laser Spot Tracker (LST) Pod are carried on the respective starboard and port "special" fuselage hardpoints.

 

Therefore the answer to my question would be "no", the carrying of these pods does not reduce the weapon hardpoint capacity.

 

Pete

Sorry, Pete, I didn't see this post earlier. I'm quite sure your conclusions are correct. There are probably pics of Hornets available which show the position of the pods.

There are probably pics of Hornets available which show the position of the pods.

That's all fine and dandy, but if you were me, you would not know which item is which.