The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to deploy SMART, an AI-driven decision-support tool designed to mitigate airspace congestion, starting with the Washington, D.C. area. Scheduled for an initial rollout as early as September 21, 2026, the system utilizes AI models to forecast air traffic flows and detect potential conflicts by analyzing variables such as weather patterns, airport capacity, airspace conditions, and airline schedules. This initiative is part of a larger $875 million, 12-year contract awarded to Air Space Intelligence to develop the tool and a new Flow Management Data and Services system to replace the existing FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center infrastructure. Rather than mandating operational changes, SMART provides "alternative route information" via existing FAA systems to create a synchronized operational view for controllers and airlines. The primary technical objectives are to optimize departure times and flight routes to reduce fuel consumption, enhance on-time performance, and accelerate recovery from weather-related disruptions. Following the limited deployment in the D.C. metropolitan area, the FAA plans a nationwide rollout covering the full 29 million square miles of U.S. national airspace.