The pod is a datalink for the Popeye/Havenap stand off weapon. The missile’s terminal guidance is exclusively man-in-the-loop; footage from the missile’s seeker is transmitted via datalink to an operator in the host aircraft that remotely guides the missile to its target. Consequently, the host aircraft must carry an 865kg AN/ASW-55 datalink pod to communicate with the missile and store in-flight footage.

The pod is purely for aesthetics and is completely non-functional for Arma purposes.