WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 22, 2026 — The FAA awarded a contract to Air Space Intelligence (ASI) for two complementary technologies: Flow Management Data and Services (FMDS) and Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART).
FMDS will be the new technological backbone of the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center. SMART, an enhancement within FMDS, uses AI to analyze airline schedules, weather, airport capacity, airspace conditions, and operational constraints to predict traffic flows and identify potential conflicts before they occur.
The $875 million, 12-year contract helps controllers proactively identify delays and mitigate them days, weeks, and months in advance. The FAA plans to begin initial operations using the new software in fall 2026, starting with weather-related rescheduling in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
SMART assists air traffic controllers; it does not autonomously control aircraft.