Why can’t the pilot control the targeting pod using the forward hand control?

[MigLover220]

In the phantom, the WSO controls the targeting pod, and even though the pilot does have a forward hand control, it is only used for guiding mavericks and bullpups.

My question is, why didn’t the designers of the F-4 also allow the pilot to control the targeting pod as well, using the forward hand control. They were allowed to see the video feed of the pave spike, which helped them to align the plane correctly, wouldn’t it have been better to give a bit more autonomy and also allow them to control the pave spike as well? 
 

We would see this in later fighter jets (like in the F-15E in dcs for example, both the pilot and WSO can control the targeting pod), then why wasn’t it implemented in the phantom?

[Zabuzard]

I dont have a solid reason available. Probably would have to ask the actual designers.

Maybe meta reasons like wiring and upgrade history and whatnot.

[Dragon1-1]

Remember that the F-4 predates digital avionics and indeed, concepts like a data bus that we take for granted these days. Everything is wired individually, the Phantom is a truly analog jet. Since it's WSO's job to control the pod, wires from the pod interface run to the WSO station. Likewise, since it's the pilot who controls the Bullpup (WSO can't see out front and would be unable to see the flare), the relevant wires from the stations were routed to the pilot's cockpit. As for Maverick, it's controlled by the pilot because the Bullpup was, and they reused the wiring. They didn't want to add any wires that weren't necessary, because it would mean cost, weight and maintenance.

Also, it's worth noting that Pave Spike started out as a massive kludge. In early versions, if you messed up the switchology, the pod would go into "idiot mode" and stop responding to commands in a useful way. It was later fixed, but even then, the version we have is a quirky piece of hardware. Now, imagine if it was then given two sets of controls, with individual wiring that has to be connected somehow. With 70s electronics, it'd have resulted in a lot of added weight and complexity for no good reason (since the pod occupied WSO's full attention anyway). 

The Mudhen has the benefit of about 30 years of technological advancement, including a fully digital glass cockpit. It has a data bus, so everything is connected to everything, using a limited number of wires, with signals addressed so that each system knows when it's being talked to. This results in a much simpler and more flexible architecture, not to mention much fewer maintenance headaches. In fact, this is also the major advantage the Hornet had over the Tomcat.

[Temetre]

Am 24.10.2025 um 22:12 schrieb Dragon1-1:

Remember that the F-4 predates digital avionics and indeed, concepts like a data bus that we take for granted these days. Everything is wired individually, the Phantom is a truly analog jet. Since it's WSO's job to control the pod, wires from the pod interface run to the WSO station. Likewise, since it's the pilot who controls the Bullpup (WSO can't see out front and would be unable to see the flare), the relevant wires from the stations were routed to the pilot's cockpit. As for Maverick, it's controlled by the pilot because the Bullpup was, and they reused the wiring. They didn't want to add any wires that weren't necessary, because it would mean cost, weight and maintenance.

Also, it's worth noting that Pave Spike started out as a massive kludge. In early versions, if you messed up the switchology, the pod would go into "idiot mode" and stop responding to commands in a useful way. It was later fixed, but even then, the version we have is a quirky piece of hardware. Now, imagine if it was then given two sets of controls, with individual wiring that has to be connected somehow. With 70s electronics, it'd have resulted in a lot of added weight and complexity for no good reason (since the pod occupied WSO's full attention anyway). 

The Mudhen has the benefit of about 30 years of technological advancement, including a fully digital glass cockpit. It has a data bus, so everything is connected to everything, using a limited number of wires, with signals addressed so that each system knows when it's being talked to. This results in a much simpler and more flexible architecture, not to mention much fewer maintenance headaches. In fact, this is also the major advantage the Hornet had over the Tomcat.

Small correction, the Mav can actually be controlled by the WSO. So somewhere there is doubling of wires. Not sure if the WSO could theoretically control Bullpups (which wouldnt make much sense ofc).

Otherwise I assume youre correct, the TGPs were pretty new and specifically wired for the WSO to be used. It also requires many buttons which are only available at the rear seat, so theres little point for the pilot being able to control the POD.