The type of drone under consideration for AAR was not the Global Hawk / Predator / Reaper class....
The problem with autonomous AAR using probe and drogue is that the drone is flying an approach to contact without an immediate safety overview. We did suggest that drone operators involved in probe and drogue AAR should be on board the tanker; it would concentrate their minds on safety if nothing else.
Whereas with the boom system, all the drone has to do is to maintain a stable position and not respond to the impact of the boom nozzle as an unexpected step pitch moment.
Of course modern drones should have a place in the sky - but the impatience of their proponents is frankly unacceptable. Safety is paramount.
Incidentally, the dictionary definition of drone is 'A pilotless aircraft operated by remote control.' Why are people so sensitive about the term? Which is increasingly being used by the news media, incidentally.