[McGruff]

The only non-missle explanation I will believe is one like this.

Pentagon to test 2nd near-space strike craft

[Paul Ross]

This DARPA project is not quite so black as you imply, they are explicitly giving us a rough timeline of scheduling:

Weapon designed for urgent threats
By Shaun Waterman-The Washington Times6:22 p.m., Thursday, November 25, 2010

Defense Department scientists are set to conduct a second test launch next year of the Falcon HTV-2