Logistics support aircraft having a minimal drag configuration

A method of operating an aircraft comprising:

• providing an airframe having first and second wings with first and second pylons extending therebetween forming a central region, a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing, a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing and a flight control system operable to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies;
• forming a cargo enclosure having an aerodynamic outer shape by attaching a nose cone to the airframe such that the nose cone extends between the first and second wings and between first and second pylons and by attaching an afterbody to the airframe such that the afterbody extends between the first and second wings and between first and second pylons;
• disposing cargo within the cargo enclosure;
• transporting the cargo by air from a first location to a second location including transitioning the aircraft between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation;
• removing the cargo from the cargo enclosure at the second location;
• detaching the nose cone and the afterbody from the airframe forming a minimal drag flight configuration in which air passes through the central region during flight;
• and
• returning the aircraft by air from the second location to the first location in the minimal drag flight configuration including transitioning the aircraft between thrust-borne lift in the VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in the biplane orientation.