I have a hunch they’re trying to attack the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier

gotta admit, that is a lot safer approach than trying some shit on the real thing

High value target, vulnerable in a conflict with China.

https://news.usni.org/2021/06/14/mda-u-s-aircraft-carriers-now-at-risk-from-hypersonic-missiles

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2019/3/22/incoming-can-aircraft-carriers-survive-hypersonic-weapons

Counter argument:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2020/06/09/claims-of-aircraft-carrier-vulnerability-are-false-but-the-versatility-is-real/?sh=31fda78f591a

Caveat on this article:

Several contractors with a stake in the carrier debate contribute to my think tank, including Huntington Ingalls Industries HII —the only company in the world that manufactures large-deck, nuclear-powered carriers.