An aircraft (20) includes a forward fuselage segment (24), an aft fuselage segment (26), a wing structure (28) supported from the aft fuselage segment, a tail structure (34) supported from either the aft fuselage segment or the wing structure, and an engine (52) supported from either the aft fuselage segment or the wing structure. A payload module (54) is disposed between and connects the forward fuselage segment and the aft fuselage segment, so as to form the structural attachment between the forward fuselage segment and the aft fuselage segment. The payload module is disconnectable from the forward fuselage segment and the aft fuselage segment such that the forward fuselage segment and the aft fuselage segment are not connected to each other when the payload module is disconnected from the forward fuselage segment and the aft fuselage segment.