[Porsche-O-Phile]

There were a number of "classified" shuttle launches using AF crews back in the 1980s/1990s. As with the entire space program it was quasi-military and definitely was used to psychologically intimidate the opposition. The USSR was genuinely concerned about "star wars" anti-ICBM technology even as a research-level concept because even if only of limited effectiveness, it would have changed the dynamic of MAD pretty significantly. Also one of the reasons Russia is so vehemently anti-missile defense on the part of the US. The shutte certainly could be used to deploy space-based "star wars" equipment - yea it was fledgeling at best and it would have been far more effective to use Deltas but if you know your enemy is nervous about something you want to make it as high-profile and in-your-face as possible, overstating your commitment to it as best you can. I have no doubt this was done with he shuttle to maximize anxiety on the part of the USSR.

There were plans to launch shuttles out of the western US for polar orbital flights (clearly for military applications) - bummer it never happened but again I think just the thought it was undr serious consideration helped stoke anxiety in the Soviet Bloc.