The FAA has selected Air Space Intelligence to modernize how it plans and manages the National Airspace System, equipping the agency with data-driven tools to handle growing demand from airlines, cargo operators, and emerging aircraft types.

What happened

In June 2026, the FAA named Air Space Intelligence as the provider for two new systems—SMART (System Management and Resource Tool) and FMDS (Flight Management Data Service)—designed to improve strategic planning around weather disruptions, airport capacity constraints, and airspace congestion.

What to watch

The SMART program is focused on the FAA's broader ability to manage the National Airspace System picture, rather than replacing existing drone initiatives like UTM (UAS Traffic Management) or ongoing BVLOS rulemaking efforts. The modernization effort may signal how the agency intends to coordinate multiple aircraft types—traditional, cargo, and unmanned—as demand grows in the years ahead.