tech
April 18, 2026
Palantir, Thales, and a startup are competing to build the FAA’s predictive air traffic AI
In short: The FAA is developing SMART (Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories), an AI system that would extend air traffic conflict prediction from 15 minutes to two hours, with Palantir, Thales, and Air Space Intelligence competing for the contract. The project follows the LaGuardia crash that exposed controller overwork and aging systems, and sits within a $32.5 billion modernisation programme as the agency replaces 612 outdated radar systems and recruits 1,200 new controllers in fiscal 2026.
TL;DR
- The FAA is developing SMART (Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories), an AI system to predict flight conflicts up to two hours ahead.
- Palantir, Thales, and Air Space Intelligence are the three companies competing for the SMART contract.
- The SMART system aims to shift air traffic management from reactive to predictive, addressing limitations of current infrastructure designed for lower flight volumes.
- A recent collision at LaGuardia Airport underscored the urgency of modernizing air traffic control due to controller overwork and aging technology.
- The FAA has a $32.5 billion budget for air traffic control modernization, including replacing radar systems and hiring new controllers.
- The contract competition highlights distinct approaches: Palantir's broad government platform, Thales's established domain expertise, and Air Space Intelligence's specialized aviation AI.
- The success of SMART is critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of the US air traffic control system amidst increasing volume and staffing shortages.
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