ASQ-173 for Hornet

Pretty handy as a Laser spotter whilst we await the TGP... Mounts on a fuselage missile station so don't take up a A/G stores location.

Partially modelled already on the AI F/A-18C it would seem.

Could go the AN/AAS-38 (which it complimented) too, if you wanted to do a set up for earlier period Hornets... but I think that would be a distraction from the other TGP.

My argument is the ASQ-173 would allow better location/designation of the drop point for LGBs, in the meantime.

I wish they would go with the AN/AAS-38 and ASQ-173 as well. I think they were more appropriate for the 2005 time period. And I used to work on them both so, I'm a little biased. I never saw the ATFLIR in use but I understand the resolution is a lot better, so there is that I guess.

I wish they would go with the AN/AAS-38 and ASQ-173 as well. I think they were more appropriate for the 2005 time period. And I used to work on them both so, I'm a little biased. I never saw the ATFLIR in use but I understand the resolution is a lot better, so there is that I guess.

yeah I know what you're saying, but it would then be yet ANOTHER FLIR for them to do.

I figured the laser spotter would help fill the gap a bit, without the huge workload of doing a whole TGP... worst case once LITENING and ATFLIR are done, maybe they can come back to it if they want to do the more classic hardware.

Also saves carrying an AGM-65E to spot a laser from a JTAC (when it takes a station that could accommodate 2x500lb GBUs. Given the ASQ-173 is essentially equivalent to the maverick laser seeker head I would've thought perhaps the mechanics of this would be perhaps fairly easy/quick to replicate.

I for one would like to see it. But my interest is simulating slightly older hornets.