The large delta wings on the space shuttle are what allow the large cross-range, by letting it "turn" on the way down. The single polar orbit was to allow rapid, stealthy insertion of a reconnaissance satellite into polar orbit. According to the space shuttle engineers, there was never any contemplation of arming the shuttle, though the DoD did set many requirements (including payload bay size and cross-range).
I assume the details are highly-classified, but I'm curious if a similar cross-range capability is part of what the DOD's been experimenting with via the X-37B.
Basically, although the space shuttle has the worst glide ratio of any aerospace vehicle I am aware of. To simulate landing the shuttle, they used a businessjet with the engines in reverse…
Cool, interesting bit about how it actually simulated the flight characteristics that I didn't know before:
> To match the descent rate and drag profile of the real Shuttle at 37,000 feet (11,300 m), the main landing gear of the C-11A was lowered (the nose gear stayed retracted due to wind load constraints) and engine thrust was reversed. Its flaps could deflect upwards to decrease lift as well as downwards to increase lift.
