System and method for enhancing the payload capacity, carriage efficiency, and adaptive flexibility of external stores mounted on an aerial vehicle

A system for mounting a load on an aerial vehicle, the system comprising:

• an aerodynamically shaped structure mounted on the exterior of an aerial vehicle;
• said aerodynamically shaped structure substantially surrounds at least one airborne store;
• interior airborne store mounting means attached to the internal surface of the aerodynamically shaped enclosure to provide stability to the at least one airborne store;
• airborne store operation control means linked to the aerodynamically shaped structure to monitor and control the operation of the at least one airborne store;
• airborne store operation support means to provide for the release of the at least one airborne store during flight responsive to instructions by said airborne store operation control means;
• and
• wherein said aerodynamically shaped structure is shaped the same as a fuel tank designed for use with the aerial vehicle and is mounted on the exterior of the aerial vehicle in the position in which a fuel tank of the same shape would be placed.