A Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System-Demonstrator (UCAS-D) is hoisted aboard USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75), marking a milestone in the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program. Equipment needed to operate the unmanned aircraft was added during the carrier’s recent overhaul. The X-47B “will demonstrate seamless integration into carrier flight deck operations through various tests. During each demonstration, the X-47B will be controlled remotely via a hand-held control display unit (CDU),” according to a Navy release. Truman will undertake three weeks of deck handling trials of the aircraft as well as other tests in preparation for actual flight operations scheduled for December of 2013.