A tailsitter aircraft includes an airframe having first and second wings with first and second pylons extending therebetween, a thrust array attached to the airframe, payloads and payload saddle assemblies coupled to the pylons each configured to secure a respective payload. The thrust array includes propulsion assemblies configured to transition the airframe between a forward flight orientation for wing-borne lift and a VTOL orientation for thrust-borne lift. Each payload saddle assembly includes a latch assembly and a retainer configured to secure the respective payload against a respective pylon. A latch assembly is movable between various positions including an open position and a closed position and is configured to secure the respective payload in the closed position and release the respective payload in the open position. Each latch assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position to release the respective payload in the VTOL orientation.