Pave Tack

Pave Tack, also spelled as "Pave-Tack," is a colloquial term within the United States military, specifically the United States Air Force, referring to the AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and Laser Designator pod. This pod was an early example of targeting pod technology, designed to enhance the precision bombing capabilities of aircraft, particularly in adverse weather conditions or at night.

The Pave Tack system combined a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor with a laser designator. The FLIR allowed pilots and weapon systems officers (WSOs) to see thermal images of the ground, enabling them to identify targets even in low-visibility environments. Once a target was identified, the laser designator could be used to "paint" the target with a laser beam, guiding laser-guided bombs (LGBs) to their intended destination with improved accuracy.

The Pave Tack pod was primarily employed on the F-4 Phantom II and the F-111 Aardvark aircraft during the late 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. Its introduction marked a significant advancement in precision strike capabilities, allowing aircraft to deliver ordnance with greater accuracy and effectiveness compared to traditional "dumb bomb" tactics. While superseded by more modern targeting pod systems like the Litening and Sniper pods, the Pave Tack played a crucial role in the evolution of precision-guided munitions and air-to-ground warfare. The pod’s capabilities enabled the delivery of laser-guided bombs with greater accuracy and reduced collateral damage.