The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to introduce an artificial intelligence system worth $875 million as part of efforts to address challenges affecting air traffic control operations across the United States. 

The initiative is aimed at helping controllers manage increasingly complex flight operations while improving the safety and efficiency of airspace management.

The system, known as Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories, or SMART, is designed to support existing FAA air traffic management systems. 

The cloud based platform will use artificial intelligence to analyse airline schedules, weather conditions, airport capacity, airspace conditions and other operational factors to predict traffic patterns and identify potential conflicts before they occur.

According to reports, the SMART system was developed by Air Space Intelligence and will cost the government approximately $875 million over a 12 year period.

The technology is expected to be introduced initially in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area before being expanded to other parts of the country.

The FAA has also announced a major recruitment programme aimed at addressing its longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers. 

The agency is simultaneously working on a broader modernisation programme designed to replace and upgrade ageing air traffic control infrastructure across the United States.

Officials are increasingly turning to technology and recruitment as part of a wider effort to strengthen the country’s air traffic management system. 

The introduction of SMART is expected to provide controllers with additional tools for managing airspace and anticipating operational challenges.

Source: TechCrunch