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A new artificial intelligence (AI) system is set to be implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration as early as 2026, as part of the federal officials’ plans to modernize the US air traffic control system. The system, which is known as ‘Smart’, is an acronym for Strategic Management of Airspace Routes and Trajectories.
The system is expected to analyze ongoing flight schedules, while taking into consideration weather forecasts, airport runway capacities, and the operational limits to help predict traffic flows and identify whether there may be congestion ahead of time. The new system is part of a wider $875 million contract that was awarded by Air Space Intelligence, as part of a 12-year contract that will provide central intelligence for the nation’s airspace.
SMART System To Help Improve The US Air Traffic Control System
The primary goal of the system is to support the FAA and major airlines with the ongoing challenges of airline operations, scheduled disruptions, and, in general, to cut down on delays and cancellations. The industry had anticipated a broader initial release after months of planning, but as reported by the Independent, the rollout now means it can begin on a smaller scale.
As part of the first phase, SMART will serve as a decision-making support tool during complex operational disruptions. In the future, iterations will be expected to intervene for complex tasks, including managing flight arrivals and intervals, while also planning out aircraft mapping routes days in advance.
With the new systems set to be launched on Monday, FAA plans to open a centralized office for the program at the US Department of Transportation headquarters at New Jersey Ave in Washington, DC. It’s important to note from the outset that the new AI system SMART is not expected to replace human control or be a replacement for air traffic controllers; it is expected to be an advisor and support with complex decision-making.
An Ongoing Push From President Trump To Modernize Aviation Infrastructure
The US President Donald Trump has been pushing for a modernization of the aging aviation infrastructure in the United States, and the multi-billion-dollar technology investment will support the wider expanded controller hiring program that is expected to mend the persistent staffing shortages.
As part of the transition, there are expected to be several small coordination changes, with the FAA already holding talks with commercial airlines regarding schedule alignment. The overall industry has raised several concerns about how the automated system will operate, amid ongoing intense market competition for coveted peak flight spots at major airports.
Bryan Bedford, the FAA Administrator, has earlier this year addressed the need for structural change in airspace management, and released the below statement:
“The way we manage traffic today is chaotic, and we can do better. We need to manage that at the FAA, rather than rely on commercial airlines to simply schedule however they want.”
Welcoming New Technology
While there have been several operational questions raised by some airlines and industry advocates, the new technology has been otherwise welcomed. Airlines for America, the trade association that represents most major US airlines expects the new software to provide a significant boost to safety and expand overall airspace capacity while improving operational efficiency.
The new SMART system will be expected to debut on Monday, with a full nationwide rollout scheduled by the end of 2028. The software will be expected to help with proactive planning by predicting traffic conflicts more than 45 days in advance, recommending small changes to flight times to reduce delays, and giving airlines and air traffic controllers a digital view to improve coordination.
SMART is not expected to replace human air traffic controllers, and the US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the union have emphasized that humans will remain in charge. This new program will be a support tool and act as an advisor to provide data and suggestions, not make the final decision.
