@LowObservable : The Loyal Wingman shape makes sense in the way that the amount of lift you gain with that lifting fuselage is gained at low alpha, with minimal induced drag (the ejector effect of the exhaust). Hence you can have a smaller wing or a wing with lower alpha (hence drag).
IMOHO, Rutan did go full on wing lift, what needed a very high aspect ratio for low induced drag and then a far aft tail plane for trim with a gammut of structural problem with the wing bending moment (hence the twin fuselage).
Here they can have a relatively low aspect ratio thick wing and introduce a sweep angle for less drag and higher speed at lower power settings, hence altitude.
Plus the lower wing span make them adaptable in term of launch site.
The main thing I am surprised is the V-tail.