FAA Starts Testing AI Air Traffic Control Software in a $875 Million Deal

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced an AI-powered air traffic control software called SMART, which is expected to begin testing in Washington, D.C. as early as September 21 local time, then gradually expand across the United States. The contract is worth $875 million.

SMART, short for Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories, can analyze airline flight schedules, weather, airport runway capacity and operating restrictions to predict air traffic flow and identify potential conflicts in advance.

The U.S. has the world's most developed air transport system, but its air traffic management faces aging infrastructure and staffing shortages, reducing the fault tolerance of a highly complex route system. FAA officials are discussing with airlines how to coordinate flight schedules as part of the software's broader rollout.