First, drones get less terrible at dodging things when you add defenses on to them. Defense Autosofts, Chameleon Coating, and Armor are the best way to keep your drones alive. Other than that, drones are best at long-range attacks, suppressing fire, and scouting/surveillance. Don't make them a front-line combatant. A Steel Lynx properly up-armored and running defense autosofts is less likely to get one-shotted (unless someone's using a sniper rifle or FA on you, in which case, better the drone than you!), but it is NOT a tank. Don't overreach.