Yeah the Federal Dropship is underrated. I just love flying that ship any chance I get. It looks awesome and has coffee makers. Even better, if you equip that ship right it is hard as nails. With engineering I can even keep 1 x cl3 and 2 x cl2 g5 efficient beams lit for a long time. It can absorb a ton of punishment as well. Great ship!
Although not the most combat oriented of the three FDS, FAS, FGS, I must admit that the Dropship comes closest in resembling the A-10 Warthog.
I also agree that the Dropship is way under rated, I never gave the ship much thought but I'm using it as a material prospecter since a while and it's fantastic.
I like it's looks too, it can dish out some real pain and take a beating.
When properly engineered the FDS is a true workhorse.