How A Key Designer of the B-2 Spirit Went From Working on Top Secret Tech To Being Incarcerated In A Maximum Security Prison

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a famous American heavy strategic bomber, known for its advanced stealth technology that allows it to evade enemy defenses and carry out deep-strike missions undetected. A total of 21 B-2 bombers were constructed between 1987 and 2000, with the first one being delivered to the US Air Force on January 1, 1997. Noshir Gowadia, a principal designer, played a significant role in the aircraft's development.

Gowadia claimed to be the "father of the technology that protects the B-2 stealth bomber from heat-seeking missiles." Nonetheless, in 2010, he was convicted of industrial espionage and sentenced to 32 years in prison. Here is a summary of the events that led to his conviction.

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

As previously mentioned, the B-2 Spirit ranks among the most sophisticated aircraft ever created. Combining power with stealth, it can perform missions that other bombers cannot, making it a crucial asset for the US Air Force. Its key advantage lies in its capacity to carry substantial air-to-surface standoff weapons while maintaining a stealth profile.

The exceptional stealth capabilities of the B-2 stem from meticulous design and engineering. Its engines are housed within the aircraft rather than on its exterior, and it employs advanced technology to cool emissions, minimizing infrared detection. Additionally, it operates more quietly than other bombers.

The B-2's mission is distinct from other bombers, as it is used to eliminate anti-aircraft defenses, allowing less stealthy aircraft to enter an area and carry out their attacks. It saw action during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, having first entered combat during the Kosovo War in the 1990s.

Noshir Gowadia went from patriotic engineer to treasonous spy

Noshir Gowadia began his career at Northrop in 1968, playing a crucial role as a lead designer in developing the stealth technology for the B-2 Spirit. Despite his key contributions to this aircraft, he left Northrop-Grumman in 1986. Thirteen years later, he established his own consulting firm, N.S. Gowadia, Inc.

After departing from the company, he committed acts of treason, exploiting his expertise for financial gain. In 2002, Gowadia allegedly sent a fax containing classified infrared technology information to at least three foreign countries. He is also accused of providing China with a cruise missile design that showed the weapon's capability against American air-to-air defenses.

Arrested by federal agents

In October 2005, federal agents interviewed Noshir Gowadia twice and searched 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 returned an 18-count indictment against Gowadia, with the Department of Justice writing in a press release :

"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 also described Gowadia's travels to China to assist in 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 following year for a background check by the Department of Justice on his new counsel. The proceedings were further delayed until late 2009 to assess Gowadia's mental fitness to stand trial, as he was reluctant to work alongside his lawyers.

In November 2009, US Magistrate Judge Kevin S.C. Chang declared that the difficult relationship between Gowadia and his lawyers didn't present evidence that he was incompetent, and Chief US District Judge Susan Oki Mollway agreed. The trial, therefore, 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.