[Gaffer]

Skunkworks projects (U-2 and SR71) IIRC.

I was stationed at a place (Kadena) where the SR flew almost daily, headed west. We called them the “Habu” at the base, locally. There were also one or two U-2s around.

There’s the old tale of how Kennedy was going to announce the new 3000 MPH plane, the RS71. He said “SR71” and they ended up changing the designation.

What’s next? Well I don’t believe it’s a hypersonic vehicle to move stuff or people from one place to another. I could believe a kill vehicle with something like a daisy cutter / bunkerbuster , or even an EMP on board for a one-way trip.

[Yosemitest]

EMP is my bet.
I've done several tours at Osan and Kunsan, and "Black Cats" have a problem of their tails falling off during launch.
I've seen more than one pallet of "Black Cat" Kitty Litter.

EMP or after reentry, biological agents would definitely be my bet, special delivery to our Muzzl'em co-farts.

[panaxanax]

“We called them the “Habu” at the base, locally.”

I’ll bet there are few here that know the origin of that moniker.

Ever run into a real Habu while at Okinawa? Fast, aggressive and deadly.