Wish for recce pod

[Whirley]

With the TARPS pod for the F-14 and it possibly working in the future, I wish we will also get a reconnaissance pod for the Phantom at some point.

[Kalasnkova74]

14 hours ago, Whirley said:

With the TARPS pod for the F-14 and it possibly working in the future, I wish we will also get a reconnaissance pod for the Phantom at some point.

THE reconnaissance pod? You’ll need to be more specific 

 

Unlike some aircraft, the F-4E featured many recce options over its career. Setting aside  dedicated reconnaissance variants like the RF-4C, RF-4E & derivatives, here’s some of the recce pods fitted to “normal” F-4Es:

Long Range Optical (LOROP)

Tactical in line camera pod:

The French-developed ASTAC electronic intelligence pod for JASDF RF-4EJ: 

G-139 HIAC1 mounted to a F-4E Karpada :

…and this likely isn’t a comprehensive list. Incidentally, it would be really neat for recce assets to be useful in a DCS pre/post strike capacity. We could see more recce variants like the recon Tornado, RF-101, RF-8, U-2, and yes..the RF-4C & E

Edited March 16, 2024 by Kalasnkova74

[Whirley]

2 hours ago, Kalasnkova74 said:

THE reconnaissance pod? You’ll need to be more specific 

 

That is why I wrote 'a'. But I believe the smiley indicates your sentence was meant as a joke. Sorry if I didn't clearly get the joke, people can be aggressive on these forums.

Upvoted for providing info on possible recce pods. Thanks! More stuff to read about.

[Whirley]

But you are right anyway that I should be more exact. I meant something that provides images, like visual or IR that you could look at after the flight and share on some multiplayer discord server.

[Stackup]

2 hours ago, Kalasnkova74 said:

RF-4C & E

and the RF-4B

[Kalasnkova74]

7 hours ago, Stackup said:

and the RF-4B

Ah! To redress my faux pax of an oversight, I’ll share a story about the RF-4Bs development. 
Originally the plan was for the main Phantom II variant to be the F-4B, which would be sold to the USAF and Navy. Republic Aircraft had a contract lined up for a recce RF-105 - to replace the RF-101- and they began development accordingly.

Meanwhile, USMC needed a reconnaissance aircraft but nothing in the upcoming inventory could do the job, since it has to be carrier capable. After realizing that the USMC couldn’t afford a reconnaissance F-4 variant alone, the USMC officer pitched the RF-4B to their contemporary in the Air Force - who wanted a higher performance reconnaissance aircraft than the RF-105 proposal- the two began an underground effort to get the RF-4B off the ground. McDonnell , seeing a business opportunity to take market share from Republic, did their part  & after much knashing of teeth & debate within the USAF between the options , the RF-4B won out over the Republic offering. 

Edited March 17, 2024 by Kalasnkova74