The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to debut an artificial intelligence tool designed to support air traffic controllers. Known as the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories, or SMART, the software is scheduled for an initial pilot launch in the Washington, D.C. area on September 21.
Developed by Air Space Intelligence, the system functions as a cloud-based platform intended to integrate with existing infrastructure. By processing data related to weather, runway capacity, and flight schedules, the tool identifies potential operational bottlenecks before they occur. Current implementation focuses on providing decision support during disruptions to help mitigate delays and flight cancellations.
This initiative represents a significant move toward modernizing national airspace management. Industry observers are monitoring how the software will balance automated traffic flow predictions with human oversight, particularly as the agency navigates peak-time slot competition among commercial carriers. While currently limited to disruption management, future versions of the platform may handle more complex arrival interval tasks. The rollout coincides with broader agency efforts to resolve chronic ATC staffing shortages and update legacy systems across the United States.