A drone makes a loud noise as it hovers invisibly above, piloted from afar. It contains sophisticated sensor systems to allow it to detect the heat of human bo

A drone makes a loud noise as it hovers invisibly above, piloted from afar. It contains sophisticated sensor systems to allow it to detect the heat of human bodies, and cameras and computer systems that can do face matches with long lists of people deemed OK to kill. By your logic, drones are simply airplanes... simply a transportation device. That is obviously not a useful level of abstraction with which to view their use in war. In our modern wars, drones are used as intimidation devices, with the sound of their propellers issuing a constant reminder that anyone may be the next to die. They are thus much more akin to dropped leaflets containing propaganda meant to persuade an enemy population. In the past, leaflets have been used to do intimidation by declaring the time in the future when a nearby building would be obliterated. The locals, after reading the leaflet and seeing the building obliterated, were meant to have greater respect for the powerful nation that dropped the leaflets and to become more obedient to it.