The U.S. Army is seeking artificial intelligence-powered solutions to streamline airspace management amid rising complexity brought on by drones, loitering munitions, and autonomous platforms. In a Request for Information (RFI) released Wednesday, the service emphasized the need for AI tools to help commanders quickly assess, prioritize, and coordinate air operations in real time.

“AI-enabled airspace management solutions have the potential to address these challenges by leveraging machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation to enhance situational awareness, optimize airspace allocation, and enable rapid decision-making,” the RFI states. These systems, officials say, can ingest data from diverse sources, predict usage patterns, and recommend proactive steps to improve safety and mission success.

The Army believes traditional airspace systems are increasingly overwhelmed by the volume and velocity of data from manned and unmanned platforms. AI could significantly reduce cognitive burden on commanders while supporting faster, more accurate decisions in contested environments.

The Army plans to evaluate a minimum viable product during JPMRC Exercise 26-01, aiming for operational deployment with the 25th Infantry Division by November 2025.