Enclosed Weapons Pod- F/A-18

Did we have a thread on the Enclosed Weapons Pod (EWP) on the Advanced Super Hornet? Sorry if I missed it.

http://defense-update.com/20130830_semi-stealth-advanced-super-hornet-completes-first-phase-of-test-flights.html

This does seem to have some potential to free up some weapon stations and decrease radar cross section (less hanging on the wing). I wonder what it does to drag? Perhaps one larger EWP is less draggy than several missiles/bombs and their racks/pylons. Surely less intersection drag.

Marketing hype or real potential?

RCS reduction? Imagine some, but I recognize the Rhino will never be totally “stealthy”. Surely less returns with fewer wing mouted stores.

Perhaps a EWP could be usefull for other aircraft? F-35 A or C? In clean configuaration their steath improves, but decidely less so with wing stores. I am aware of the differnce between “first day of war” configuration and with wing stores.

I do think the conformal fuel tanks on the advanced Super Hornet are a good idea. Reports indicate a neutral or slight positive effect on handling. Less drag.