FB11,
As a point of information (and though I wouldn't claim any great expertise on the basis), I have flown the Jag, several times, though (alas) never solo. I've also had a good play with the JMP, and with the PC-based TIALD sim. I've sat in a cockpit and been shown how to call up EFRCs and ETAPs. It will surprise no-one who has seen my shaky arrivals at Booker and Elstree to learn that I was !!!!e at all of the above.
More importantly, I have spoken often and in depth to large numbers of Jag operators, and I do feel that (platform loyalty aside) they do have some claim to be capable of judging capabilities without an unacceptable degree of over-statement. As an outsider, I merely make some attempt to evaluate what I'm told (usually by discussing it with others who are more qualified to do so) and then parrot the end result.
As to over-stating a platform's capabilities, then it's you who is being myopic if you've managed to avoid my frequent and repeated acknowledgment of Jaguar's payload/range and hot/high shortcomings, and if you've managed to avoid the facts (confirmed by current operators, whose views should be taken far more seriously than those of this interested onlooker) that Jag has some useful 'niche' capabilities and that the jet can perform sufficient tasks to make it a potentially useful means of keeping hours off the limited pool of GR4s and GR7/9s, which will struggle to meet their planned OSDs.
If the latter types had sufficient fatigue index and airframe hours remaining to make it to 2025 and 2017 without mid life fatigue programmes or rear end replacements, then retaining Jag simply for the marginal advantage it offers in using EO GP1 (JRP) and TIALD might not be worth the candle, though I'd say that anything that maintains extra squadrons would be useful in fighting overstretch. I'd also say that using it to maintain a cadre of s/s OS blokes pending the wider availability of Typhoon
might be justifiable.
When, however, there are Jag airframes available with plenty of hours remaining, that could be used in order to ensure that the Harrier and Tornado do 'last the course' it seems irresponsible to scrap them prematurely.
Your uninformed hostility to the Jaguar (an aircraft you've never flown) is as commendable as mine is to the JSF (an aircraft I've never flown.)
I see a trend.
Maybe we should get a room?
I think I can wait until you've finished the love-in with the other PPRuNers who resort to personal abuse and assumption when they've run out of argument.