Not to muddy the waters with the facts, but even the military doesn't call them drones. To the military, drones are old fighter planes set up for RC and used as target practice.
And yes, we do call planes and choppers "drones." The MQ-1 Predator is a fixed-wing airplane that is commonly called a drone, though not by the Air Force.
There are many on this board who insist that "drone" is a pejorative. Continuing to do so will only perpetuate the negative connotation of the word. This approach makes the problem worse.
Some even refuse to say it. Using the phrase, "the D word" puts it in the same category as "the N word."
Fact: the news media and public call them drones. "Drone' is a synonym for unmanned aircraft, whether it carries bombs, takes pictures, or delivers a sixpack. Accept it.
This is irreversible. If every RC aircraft is called a drone, it loses its negative connotation. Continuing to point to only UAV weapon systems is not only inaccurate, but perpetuates the negative definition.
And instead of pointing out the positive uses of drones, you want to spend your efforts in changing a definition? Which is more effective?
It's a bad word if you continue to make it one.