Devices and methods for extending aircraft cargo bays with replacement tailcones

A cargo system, comprising:

• a cargo aircraft including a fuselage defining a forward end, an aft end, a continuous interior cargo bay that spans a majority of a length of the fuselage from the forward end to the aft end, the aft end defining an aft opening into the continuous interior cargo bay;
• a first removable tailcone configured to be coupled to the aft end of the fuselage, the removable tailcone enclosing the aft opening into the continuous interior cargo bay;
• and
• a second removable tailcone configured to be coupled to the aft end of the fuselage, the second removable tailcone enclosing the aft opening into the continuous interior cargo bay, wherein the second removable tailcone defines a forward opening and an interior cargo volume extending from the forward opening, and
• wherein the interior cargo volume of the second removable tailcone is configured to form an aft region extending from the continuous interior cargo bay when the second removable tailcone is coupled to the aft end of the fuselage such that the interior cargo volume defines an aft end of an extended cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, the extended cargo bay comprising both the interior cargo volume and the continuous interior cargo bay.