Evalu8tor
Aerostats, Helicopters and UAVs operated all year round in AFG with few problems that were planned around
Let's just take your first point:
1. Aerostats were a constant target in hot areas - lot's of holes and many many kgs of lead rattling around inside - I've seen quite a few saggy ones being reeled in. They have no engines, fuel or persons on board, but if they did then this would probably have been hit with varying results. I do know that payloads were 'plinked' by the TB, though.
2. Helicopters either flew >5,000ft at over twice the speed and are probably <5% the size of a HAV; so hard to hit. Or they flew nap of the earth - which is what I experienced around KAF or LKG, with the biggest threat being those damn kites!
3. Reaper and Hermes 450 flew in the medium level block, were 2-4 times the speed of HAV and again <5% of its size.
There were damaged large aircraft at KAF as well, but they were nowhere near the size of a HAV. So really nonw of your arguments convince me...sorry.
The B Word