The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stands as an emblematic American heavy strategic bomber, renowned for its cutting-edge stealth technology that enables it to bypass enemy defenses and conduct deep-strike operations without detection. Between 1987 and 2000, a total of 21 B-2 bombers were built, with the first unit delivered to the US Air Force on January 1, 1997. Noshir Gowadia, a key figure in the aircraft’s development, played a crucial role in its design.
Gowadia described himself as the “father of the technology that shields the B-2 stealth bomber from heat-seeking missiles.” However, in 2010, he was convicted of industrial espionage and received a 32-year prison sentence. What follows is an account of the events that led to his conviction.
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
As previously mentioned, the B-2 Spirit stands out as one of the most sophisticated aircraft ever created. Its combination of power and stealth allows it to carry out missions that other bombers cannot reach, making it a crucial component of the US Air Force. The B-2’s key advantage lies in its capacity to deploy large air-to-surface standoff weapons while preserving its stealthy profile.
The B-2’s exceptional stealth is achieved through careful design and engineering. Its engines are housed within the aircraft rather than being mounted externally, and it employs advanced technology to cool its emissions, minimizing infrared detection. Additionally, it operates with quieter performance compared to other bombers.
The B-2 fulfills a distinctive role among bombers by targeting and neutralizing anti-aircraft defenses, thereby allowing less stealthy aircraft to enter and perform their missions. It has been employed in conflicts such as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and made its combat debut during the Kosovo War in the 1990s.
Noshir Gowadia went from patriotic engineer to treasonous spy
Noshir Gowadia started his career at Northrop in 1968, where he was a key figure as the lead designer in creating the stealth technology for the B-2 Spirit. Although he made significant contributions to this aircraft, he left Northrop-Grumman in 1986. Thirteen years later, he established his own consulting firm, N.S. Gowadia, Inc.
After his departure, he engaged in treasonous acts, using his expertise for financial gain. In 2002, Gowadia allegedly sent a fax containing classified infrared technology details to at least three foreign nations. He is also accused of assisting China by providing a cruise missile design that demonstrated the weapon’s effectiveness against American air-to-air defenses.
Arrested by federal agents
In October 2005, federal agents interviewed Noshir Gowadia twice and conducted a search of his home. On October 26, he was arrested and charged with one count of “willfully communicating, delivering or transmitting national defense information to a person not entitled to receive it, which information the possessor has reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation.”
On November 8, a federal grand jury issued an 18-count indictment against Gowadia. According to a press release from the Department of Justice:
“The indictment charges Gowadia with ‘performing substantial defense-related service for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) by agreeing to design, and later designing, a low observable cruise missile exhaust system nozzle capable of rendering the missile less susceptible to detection and interception.'”
The indictment further outlined Gowadia’s trips to China to support the development of this system.
Noshir Gowadia stands trial for his crimes
Noshir Gowadia’s trial was initially scheduled for July 2007, but it was postponed until February of the next year to give the Department of Justice time to perform a background check on his new attorney. The case encountered additional delays until late 2009 as it was necessary to assess Gowadia’s mental competency for trial, given his reluctance to cooperate with his legal representatives.
In November 2009, US Magistrate Judge Kevin S.C. Chang concluded that the troubled dynamic between Gowadia and his attorneys did not imply incompetence, a determination backed by Chief US District Judge Susan Oki Mollway. As a result, the trial began on April 12, 2010, with closing arguments taking place on July 29.
A guilty verdict is returned by the jury
The jury returned a verdict on August 10, finding Noshir Gowadia guilty of both espionage and violating the Arms Export Control Act. Sentencing occurred on January 24, 2011, with the designer sentenced to 32 years in prison. He was incarcerated at ADX Florence, a maximum security prison in Fremont County, Colorado. He is scheduled for release on February 1, 2032.
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It remains unclear how damaging Gowadia’s secret selling has been, but it is known that Germany, Israel, China, and other nations benefited from his espionage. While it could be an interesting coincidence, the Chinese stealth fighter Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon flew for the first time the same month Gowadia was sentenced. This might be the first indication of the impact his actions may have had.