Well, outdated info or mixed up back then.
The AN/AAS-38 ( not ASS , thats a typo ) , also known as NITE Hawk and later as TFLIR ( TargetingFLIR ) IIRC
comes in three versions:
AAS-38 sans suffix - initial version, no laser designator, it was simply a FLIR used for FA-18C and D Night Attack versions which can display the FLIR image on the HUD
AAS-38A - upgraded version which has a Laser ranger / Target designator, in service since 1993 on C/D Hornets
AAS-38B - further upgraded version of the -38A with improved tracking capability
The pods were always loaded on the left fuselage station
AAS-38 were phased out beginning in may 2008
AN/ASQ-173 is a passive laser detector / camera. Is loade don the right side fuselage station and can work together with the AAS-38 to get targeting information ect, became obsolete with the advanced -38A/B versions
I think it is set as a Nav pod in the weapon data to keep it different from laser designators or it was somehow loadout limited back then.