Latest news with #Phantom3500
Fox News
3 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Windowless jets offer digital experience on future flights
Print Close By Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report Published June 05, 2025 With the unveiling of Otto Aviation's Phantom 3500, humans are heading toward a future of windowless jets. The aircraft is redefining air travel by eliminating traditional windows in favor of a sleek, aerodynamic design, something many engineers are surely happy about. It's a radical approach, but it's one that, on top of improving fuel efficiency and reducing drag, will still offer some of the best views using digital technology. Join the FREE "CyberGuy Report" : Get my expert tech tips, critical security alerts and exclusive deals, plus instant access to my free "Ultimate Scam Survival Guide" when you sign up! Why is windowless design such a big deal for aircraft? Most travelers don't realize that windows are structural weak points in an aircraft. They require extra reinforcement, add weight and disrupt the smooth flow of air over the fuselage (the main body of the plane). This increases drag, a resistance force that makes flight less efficient. By removing windows, the Phantom 3500's surface allows air to flow with minimal turbulence, helping the aircraft achieve what Otto Aviation describes as "full laminar flow characteristics." HYPERSONIC JET PROMISES NYC TO LONDON IN UNDER AN HOUR This is a major contributor to its impressive aerodynamic performance. The windowless design is not just for aesthetics. Otto Aviation specifically engineered the fuselage to optimize laminar flow, using lightweight materials and smooth surfaces to further reduce drag and fuel consumption. SOLAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT ACHIEVES GROUNDBREAKING 22-HOUR AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT How Phantom 3500 gives windowless passengers stunning digital views A common concern with windowless aircraft is claustrophobia. To address this, the Phantom 3500 features high-definition digital screens along the cabin walls and ceiling. These displays stream real-time video from cameras mounted on the aircraft's exterior, offering passengers a panoramic, immersive view of the skies. Otto Aviation refers to this system as Super Natural Vision, a proprietary technology that replaces traditional windows with state-of-the-art digital displays, seamlessly integrating real-time external views for a unique in-flight experience. The spacious, luminous cabin measures 800 cubic feet with a 6-foot-5-inch ceiling, comfortably accommodating four or more passengers in a luxurious, flexible layout. The cabin can seat up to nine passengers, depending on configuration, and is designed to maximize comfort and functionality. Freed from the constraints of window placement, the interior can be customized for relaxation, productivity or entertainment, ensuring passengers enjoy the journey as much as the destination. CHINESE WEARABLE EVTOL JETPACK MAKES HISTORIC FIRST FLIGHT Phantom 3500 sets new standard in jet fuel efficiency and performance The Phantom 3500 builds on flight tests from Otto's Celera 500L prototype and Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform. By sustaining laminar flow, the aircraft aims to improve fuel efficiency by 35%. This allows it to maintain high-speed performance while consuming less fuel, making it one of the most aerodynamically efficient aircraft ever developed. It operates in the transonic range (Mach 0.8–1.2), balancing speed and efficiency. It can also reach a cruising altitude of 51,000 feet, significantly higher than most commercial airliners, which typically fly between 30,000 and 40,000 feet. Thanks to its streamlined fuselage and optimized aerodynamics, the Phantom 3500 burns 50% less fuel than conventional business jets. This reduction in fuel consumption translates to lower operating costs and a significant decrease in carbon emissions. The Phantom 3500's wings achieve complete laminar flow, allowing for smoother airflow and reduced drag, enabling the aircraft to take off from runways as short as 3,500 feet, nearly doubling the number of accessible airports in the U.S. alone compared to similar-sized jets. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE SUBSCRIBE TO KURT'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICES Kurt's key takeaways The Phantom 3500 gives us a glimpse of where air travel could be headed. With its focus on efficiency and those stunning digital screens offering panoramic views, flying might soon feel more immersive and enjoyable than ever. If this jet lives up to its promise, the window seat could become a thing of the past, and the future of aviation might get a lot greener and faster, too. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Would you trade traditional airplane windows for high-definition digital screens showing real-time views? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover. Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Print Close URL
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Otto Aviation's Phantom 3500 Aims To Massively Disrupt Private Jet Market
Disruptor aircraft company Otto Aviation is aiming to achieve first flight with what could potentially be a revolutionary high-efficiency business jet-type aircraft with a tear-drop-shaped fuselage called the Phantom 3500 by the end of the decade, if not within the next two years or so. Otto has made very bold claims that still have yet to be realized, but if they are, even in part, they could be transformative for the aviation industry, including for military applications. The Phantom 3500 leverages previous work on a broadly similar piston engine design called the Celera 500L, which TWZ was the first to report on the existence of when it was still very mysterious back in 2017. Otto Aviation highlighted the ongoing development of the Phantom 3500 in a video released earlier this month, seen below. The company first unveiled the design, originally called the Celera 800, in 2023. It was '10 years of very difficult labor-of-love work to build the Celera 500,' Otto Aviation CEO Paul Touw says in the video. 'That data was used to help refine all of our technology and tools to build the second aircraft, which is now called the Phantom.' The Phantom 3500 is a significantly different design from the Celera 500L, most immediately in its planned use of two Williams FJ44 turbofan engines, one mounted on each side of the rear of the fuselage, for propulsion. The Celera 500L has a Raikhlin Aircraft Engine Developments (RED) A03 V12 piston engine driving a pusher propeller at the tail end. The RED A03 is a high-efficiency multi-fuel design that you can read more about here. Otto has also completely changed the wing and tail configuration for the Phantom 3500. The jet-powered design's main wings are much larger and feature a wider chord than those found on the Celera 500L. It also features a T-tail unlike its predecessor, which had horizontal stabilizers on either side of the rear fuselage. What Phantom 3500 and the Celera 500L do share is a tear-drop-shaped fuselage optimized to take advantage of what is called laminar flow, something that has been central to Otto Aviation's developments to date. In broad terms, laminar flow refers to liquid or gaseous 'fluids,' including air, flowing in smooth, regular layers with little to no mixing between them. 'In traditional aircraft, airflow over the fuselage and wings quickly becomes turbulent, creating drag that wastes energy and fuel,' Otto's website explains. 'Laminar flow keeps air moving smoothly along the aircraft's surface, reducing resistance and improving aerodynamic efficiency.' 'Virtuous cycle is the synthesis cycle of aircraft design. The virtuous cycle that we use, you take laminar flow, apply it to your design, and your drag goes down. When your drag goes down, your fuel burn goes down. When your fuel burn goes down, fuel required goes down,' Scott Drennan, Otto's President and Chief Operating Officer, explains in the video released earlier this month. This, in turn, allows for 'smaller engines, smaller structure to support all that, and it starts to loop down that curve, so you have a lighter, high performance aircraft that still meets all the customer experience expectations.' In the video, Otto CEO Touw says the Phantom 3500 is expected to burn 115 gallons of fuel per hour. The average burn rate for other comparable business jets like the Bombardier Challenger 350, Cessna Citation Latitude, and Embraer Praetor 500 is around 300 gallons per hour, according to the company, citing data from Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI). In addition to the 'virtuous cycle' around fuel burn, 'there's a wonderful performance cycle. Here, our wings are in complete laminar flow. They almost disappear from a drag perspective. We can actually make the wing bigger to perform a number of beautiful performance tricks,' Touw adds. 'One is a bigger wing allows you to take off on a shorter distance or land on a shorter distance. That bigger wing, with a lot less drag, produces more lift, and that allows you to climb much faster.' Touw says this will roughly double the number of airports in the United States that the Phantom 3500 can operate from over comparable business jets. The Phantom 3500 is also expected to benefit from additional efficiencies gained by cruising at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet. Otto is projecting an absolute maximum unrefueled range of 3,500 nautical miles, reflected in the 3500 in the name, and the ability to fly up to 3,200 nautical miles with four passengers on board. Otto has said previously that the Celera 500L flew at altitudes up to 15,000 feet and speeds up to 250 miles per hour during flight testing, which it projected would translate to a speed of around 460 miles per hour at 50,000 feet. In a recent interview with FlightGlobal, Touw also said that wind-tunnel testing conducted last year 'surprised even us,' especially in terms of data collected on the expected drag of the Phantom 3500 design. 'We didn't think we would be able to take that much energy out of a flight.' As noted, the results of laminar flow shaping for the fuselage also allows for larger internal volume than comparably sized aircraft with more traditional designs. Otto says the Phantom 3500's main cabin will have a height of six feet, five inches, considerably taller than what is found on many business jets and small airliners. It will also be more spacious overall. As part of its laminar flow design, the Phantom 3500 also eschews cabin windows entirely. Instead, Otto plans to install what it calls a 'Natural Vision' system that consists of 'state-of-the-art high-definition digital displays that seamlessly integrate real-time external views.' The Phantom 3500's design is also expected to yield manufacturing benefits, including reductions in total material required for production and overall manufacturing costs. Just today, a firm called Galorath, described as 'the premier AI-powered estimation platform provider,' announced that Otto will also be using its SEER product to help produce 'structured operational intelligence to anticipate costs and streamline production efforts.' 'As we enter the next phase of aircraft development, time-to-market, quality control, and resource accuracy are critical to our success,' Obi Ndu, Otto's Chief Information and Digital Officer, said in an accompanying statement. 'Integrating Galorath's SEER platform into workflows ensures we have the right tools to combat economy-driven constraints and focus on cost, outcome predictions, and meeting design requirements, keeping us ahead of the curve with a strategic advantage.' Interestingly, in addition, 'at its estimated 8,618kg (19,000lb) MTOW [maximum takeoff weight], the Phantom 3500 sits at the top of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 23 category, rather than the more-stringent Part 25 category occupied by other super-midsize types,' FlightGlobal noted as an aside in its recent interview with Touw. 'Despite the intention to certify the Phantom 3500 as a Part 23 jet, Otto will incorporate some requirements from Part 25, opening the potential to hop up to the higher weight class in the future, adding additional fuel capacity to take range out to as much as 4,300nm.' Otto has long touted the potential for its laminar flow-focused aircraft to have transformative impacts on the general aviation sector by offering improved performance at lower costs in a package that can also fly in and out of more locations. The company has previously presented these qualities as being particularly advantageous for regional charter flights along routes that would otherwise be unprofitable for large airlines to operate. With its aforementioned expected capabilities, the Phantom 3500, specifically, is poised to compete in the mid-size jet market. It could be particularly advantageous for flights between cross-U.S. city pairs like New York City and Los Angeles. It would also be capable of flying between Hawaii and the mainland United States or across the Atlantic Ocean. Potential military applications have appeared in Otto marketing materials in the past, as well. In principle, a laminar flow design like the Phantom 3500 could be very well suited to moving cargo and personnel in and out of far-flung operating locations with smaller runways. The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps both notably envision future operations, especially during a potential high-end fight with China in the Pacific, as being heavily dependent on the ability to operate from a larger number of often more remote sites to make friendly forces harder to target and otherwise present challenges to the enemy. In those contexts, an aircraft like the Phantom 3500 could also operate as part of a hub-and-spoke logistics concept wherein larger aircraft and ships first bring personnel and materiel to larger bases for further dispersal. The high-efficiency high-altitude performance Otto is pitching could be beneficial for other military mission sets, including surveillance and reconnaissance. Last year, Aviation Week reported that Otto was working on a 'super-laminar' demonstrator aircraft for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects (DARPA) Agency to be used in experiments to demonstrate power beaming technology that could dramatically extend the endurance of electrically-powered drones, potentially allowing them to stay aloft indefinitely. Aviation Week's story on Otto's work for DARPA included a computer-generated image showing multiple drones with tear-drop-shaped fuselages, very long and slender wings, and T-tails. Otto has also notably shown a rendering of a concept for an uncrewed derivative of the Celera 500L in the past. The range and fuel-efficiency benefits of a laminar flow-optimized design could be even more extreme in a design that does not need to support a crew, and provide that performance at a lower cost. When the Phantom 3500 actually flies, and what impact it will have on the aviation industry, remains to be seen. Otto CEO Touw's description of work on the Celera 500L as a 'very difficult labor-of-love' points to challenges already experienced along the way. Though the company is now describing that earlier aircraft as a 'technology demonstrator,' it had previously presented it as a prototype for an expected family of operational aircraft that would include a larger 1000L variant. In 2022, the company also announced plans for a 19-seat hydrogen-electric-powered version called the Celera 750L that would use ZeroAvia's ZA600 powertrain and have a maximum range of up to 1,000 nautical miles. Whether or not work related to this design, or another variant or derivatives of the Celera 500L, is still ongoing is unclear. The focus at Otto is now clearly on the significantly redesigned and now rebranded Phantom 3500, which is the only design currently featured on the company's website. Otto has said the plan is for the Phantom 3500 to fly for the first time no later than 2030, but CEO Touw said in his recent interview with FlightGlobal that the milestone could come as early as 2027. If the company is able to achieve even a decent fraction of what it is aiming for with this aircraft, it could be a major disruptor in the aviation marketplace on multiple levels. Contact the author: joe@
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with ‘supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030
Could this futuristic jet cut fuel use and emissions by 80 per cent? JET SET World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with 'supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FUTURISTIC jet that ditches windows for 'supernatural vision' is set to take to the skies by 2030 – aiming to combine speed, efficiency, and a new king of in-flight experience. The Phantom 3500 is the latest transonic aircraft in development, offering an unconventional take on modern private air travel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Built on the revolutionary tech proven by our laminar flow technology demonstrator, the Phantom 3500 delivers transonic speeds at a fraction of the price Credit: Otto Aviation 6 The Phantom 3500 is Otto Aviation's next-generation aircraft, engineered to redefine efficiency, range, and performance Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin Credit: Otto Aviation Developed by Otto Aviation in California, the Phantom 3500 is designed to cruise through the skies at altitudes of 51,000 feet while delivering a smooth, fuel-efficient ride for four to six passengers. It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin. Why no windows? According to engineers, they're a structural nightmare. Windows add weight, weaken the fuselage, and disrupt the airflow around the aircraft, all of which reduce fuel efficiency. By removing them, Otto has created a near-perfect aerodynamic body that glides through the air with minimal resistance. The Phantom 3500 is all about laminar flow, a scientific term for smooth, uninterrupted airflow over the fuselage. This is achieved with a precision-shaped carbon-fibre hull that reduces drag, burns less fuel, and extends range. The company estimates fuel savings of up to 35 per cent compared to traditional jets, with emissions potentially slashed by 80 per cent. Instead of feeling boxed into a metal tube, passengers will step into an 800-cubic-foot luxury cabin wrapped in digital 'windows'. High-definition screens span both walls and the ceiling, showing real-time footage from outside the aircraft. It's more immersive than a regular porthole – and a lot bigger too. The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility. It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jets – meaning access to smaller, regional airfields. The Phantom 3500 isn't alone in pushing the boundaries of flight. Across the Atlantic, Venus Aerospace is working on the Stargazer, a hypersonic aircraft that could travel at speeds of Mach 4 and beyond. Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s. The Stargazer uses a rocket-based propulsion system and a revolutionary new nozzle design to reach speeds of up to Mach 9. It's being billed as the first reusable hypersonic aircraft that could make two-hour global travel a reality. Between Otto's transonic windowless jet and Venus Aerospace's hypersonic speedster, the future of flight is shaping up to be faster, cleaner, and far more stylish. With the Phantom 3500, jet-setters may soon be swapping window seats for a high-tech view that's better than the real thing – all while flying smoother, higher, and greener than ever before. VENUS STARGAZER BY THE NUMBERS Here's what you need to know... Weight: 150,000 pounds Length: 150 feet Width: 100 feet Top speed: Mach 9 (6,900mph) Actual cruising speed: Mach 4/5 (3,000-3,800mph) Cruising altitude: 170,000 feet 6 The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility Credit: Otto Aviation 6 Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with ‘supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030
A FUTURISTIC jet that ditches windows for 'supernatural vision' is set to take to the skies by 2030 – aiming to combine speed, efficiency, and a new king of in-flight experience. The Phantom 3500 is the latest transonic aircraft in development, offering an unconventional take on modern private air travel. 6 Built on the revolutionary tech proven by our laminar flow technology demonstrator, the Phantom 3500 delivers transonic speeds at a fraction of the price Credit: Otto Aviation 6 The Phantom 3500 is Otto Aviation's next-generation aircraft, engineered to redefine efficiency, range, and performance Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin Credit: Otto Aviation Developed by Otto Aviation in California, the Phantom 3500 is designed to cruise through the skies at altitudes of 51,000 feet while delivering a smooth, It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin. Why no windows? According to engineers, they're a structural nightmare. Windows add weight, weaken the fuselage, and disrupt the airflow around the aircraft, all of which reduce fuel efficiency. Read more on Technology By removing them, Otto has created a near-perfect aerodynamic body that glides through the air with minimal resistance. The Phantom 3500 is all about laminar flow, a scientific term for smooth, uninterrupted airflow over the fuselage. This is achieved with a precision-shaped carbon-fibre hull that reduces drag, burns less fuel, and extends range. The company estimates fuel savings of up to 35 per cent compared to traditional jets, with emissions potentially slashed by 80 per cent. Most read in Tech Instead of feeling boxed into a metal tube, passengers will step into an 800-cubic-foot luxury cabin wrapped in digital 'windows'. High-definition screens span both walls and the ceiling, showing real-time footage from outside the aircraft. It's more immersive than a regular porthole – and a lot bigger too. The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility. It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current The Phantom 3500 isn't alone in pushing the boundaries of flight. Across the Atlantic, Venus Aerospace is working on the Stargazer, a hypersonic aircraft that could travel at speeds of Mach 4 and beyond. Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s. The Stargazer uses a rocket-based propulsion system and a revolutionary new nozzle design to reach speeds of up to Mach 9. It's being billed as the first reusable Between Otto's transonic windowless jet and Venus Aerospace's hypersonic speedster, the future of flight is shaping up to be faster, cleaner, and far more stylish. With the Phantom 3500, jet-setters may soon be swapping window seats for a high-tech view that's better than the real thing – all while flying smoother, higher, and greener than ever before. VENUS STARGAZER BY THE NUMBERS Here's what you need to know... Weight: 150,000 pounds Length: 150 feet Width: 100 feet Top speed: Mach 9 (6,900mph) Actual cruising speed: Mach 4/5 (3,000-3,800mph) Cruising altitude: 170,000 feet 6 The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility Credit: Otto Aviation 6 Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with ‘supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030
A FUTURISTIC jet that ditches windows for 'supernatural vision' is set to take to the skies by 2030 – aiming to combine speed, efficiency, and a new king of in-flight experience. The Phantom 3500 is the latest transonic aircraft in development, offering an unconventional take on modern private air travel. 6 6 6 Developed by Otto Aviation in California, the Phantom 3500 is designed to cruise through the skies at altitudes of 51,000 feet while delivering a smooth, fuel-efficient ride for four to six passengers. It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin. Why no windows? According to engineers, they're a structural nightmare. Windows add weight, weaken the fuselage, and disrupt the airflow around the aircraft, all of which reduce fuel efficiency. By removing them, Otto has created a near-perfect aerodynamic body that glides through the air with minimal resistance. The Phantom 3500 is all about laminar flow, a scientific term for smooth, uninterrupted airflow over the fuselage. This is achieved with a precision-shaped carbon-fibre hull that reduces drag, burns less fuel, and extends range. The company estimates fuel savings of up to 35 per cent compared to traditional jets, with emissions potentially slashed by 80 per cent. Instead of feeling boxed into a metal tube, passengers will step into an 800-cubic-foot luxury cabin wrapped in digital 'windows'. High-definition screens span both walls and the ceiling, showing real-time footage from outside the aircraft. It's more immersive than a regular porthole – and a lot bigger too. The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility. It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jets – meaning access to smaller, regional airfields. The Phantom 3500 isn't alone in pushing the boundaries of flight. Across the Atlantic, Venus Aerospace is working on the Stargazer, a hypersonic aircraft that could travel at speeds of Mach 4 and beyond. Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to- New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s. The Stargazer uses a rocket-based propulsion system and a revolutionary new nozzle design to reach speeds of up to Mach 9. It's being billed as the first reusable hypersonic aircraft that could make two-hour global travel a reality. Between Otto's transonic windowless jet and Venus Aerospace's hypersonic speedster, the future of flight is shaping up to be faster, cleaner, and far more stylish. With the Phantom 3500, jet-setters may soon be swapping window seats for a high-tech view that's better than the real thing – all while flying smoother, higher, and greener than ever before. 6 6 6
