"40% of lift comes from the shape of the craft"
So 40% of lift is from air movement over the craft, indicating it won't be able to hover at full load. Which rules out the idea of ship replenishment - there is no way its going to land / take off from a carrier if it has to be moving to generate lift. No room unless you take another look at Pyecrete and iceberg carriers
As for the idea of loading it with rocks as ballast - I can really see that happening: quick delivery of goods to some base in Afghanistan followed by hours of JCB work to fill it with stones.....