FAA to award contract for AI-powered SMART air traffic initiative
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 9
FAA to award contract for AI-powered SMART air traffic initiative
11 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 9
Thales, Air Space Intelligence and Palantir are competing, with the proof-of-concept phase ending and an operational demonstration targeted for September.
The system is designed to predict traffic flows and adjust departures to reduce congestion before flights reach controllers, potentially easing workload without replacing safety-critical human control.
The effort is part of a multibillion-dollar modernization push after the deadly crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport exposed strain on aging US air traffic systems.
After a past $36B project failed, how will the FAA's new $32.5B AI bet actually pay off for travelers?
Can an AI that 'hallucinates' be trusted to manage our skies, or is a travel crisis inevitable?