Do I need to bring it for A2G weapons derived from it in the modifications tab? Or can I just use the built-in targeting pod (I think?) for them? Are there any differences between the two? (e.g. thermal quality, range, etc.)
if you want to bring laser guided weapons you need the targeting pod. anything thats IR guided like SPICE and HOSBO you dont.
that isnt a targeting pod. that is the “PIRATE” IRST system. it kinda doesnt really do anything in WT as gaijin thinks its actual capabilities such as missile slaving is a marketing lie but it can be used to get a better look at the battlefield for firing IR A2G missiles