Pave Spike

Pave Spike was much smaller, the 144-inch-long (3.66 m), 420-lb (209 kg) pod was designed for carriage on the left, forward AIM-7 Sparrow missile station of the F-4.

Because it was smaller and nestled into the semi-submerged AIM-7 station, it did not restrict F-4 speed or maneuverability, nor did it occupy a precious weapons pylon.

[1]: 129 The system offered the crew three options to acquire, or see, the target in the pod's television picture.

In the most basic mode, the pod looked straight ahead, at the same location as the pilot's pipper on his gunsight.

During their mission planning, the crew measured the distance between a point that was easy to find and their intended target.

First, they would fly over a known point and insert the weapons release computer system (WRCS) offsets to slave the pod toward the target.

If that worked, fine, but if it did not, then the pilot would start a left roll in and put his pipper on the target, after telling the WSO to change acquisition modes again to the 12-acquire option.

[1]: 132 In December 1978 the 414th Fighter Weapons Squadron got the opportunity to demonstrate how the Pave Spike pod and the new 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II could perform at low altitude.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force holds a Pave Spike in its collection.