The problem comparing NOEs and our radar coverage to r/l is that in r/l, you had actual humans spread through the country side to raise the alert. Whereas unless you are actively searching for them, NOEs are likely to go unoticed. Sure you have the base flash warning, but that is one guy in a tank as often as its an NOE raid.
Anyway, SOMETHING needs to be done to get the fighting out of being in the weeds all the time. I don't want to totally end NOEs, I just wish there was something to make hi-alt raids by heavys equally effective and popular.