English 
Spanish 
3 min read
3 comments
A former Northrop Grumman engineer responsible for revolutionizing stealth technology on the B-2 has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for sharing stealth secrets with China, helping develop the H-20 bomber and advanced missiles.
Imagine being one of the people responsible for creating one of the world’s most advanced bombers, and then using that same expertise to help a rival nation by revealing secrets of its stealth. This is the story of Noshir Gowadia, a brilliant engineer who played a crucial role in the development of the B-2 Spirit bomber, only to betray the United States decades later by selling classified information to China.
The case began to be investigated in 2004, with Noshir Gowadia's arrest taking place on October 26, 2005. He was convicted on August 9, 2010, after a lengthy trial, and sentenced to 32 years in prison on January 24, 2011.
Gowadia's role in building the B-2
Born in India, Gowadia was a prodigy. After moving to the United States, he quickly distinguished himself as an aeronautical engineer. Working for Northrop (now Northrop Grumman), he helped design the propulsion system for the B-2, a revolutionary bomber designed to be virtually invisible to radar.
- China takes drastic decision and restricts global export of strategic products used in civil and military spheres
- China wants to conquer the world and Brazil can help! Asian giant proposes to modernize FAB, but wants something in return: access to the Alcântara Launch Center to expand its activities in America
- Russia's Devastating Weapon! TOS-1 Multiple Rocket Launcher Transforms Battlefields with Deadly Thermobaric Ammunition and Retains Its Title as the World's Most Feared War Machine
- Members of the Navy want to circumvent changes to retirement and have developed a tactic to do so: asking to go into reserve; requests have increased 8 times with discussion about changes to retirement
Gowadia was responsible for developing a system that drastically reduced the B-2's infrared signature. This innovation made the bomber nearly impossible to track, using advanced technologies that mixed the exhaust with the outside air to reduce detectable heat.
How stealthy secrets were shared
After leaving Northrop, Gowadia started his own consulting firm, but financial problems began to arise. Desperate for cash, he began seeking international clients and eventually found a buyer for his skills in China. The Chinese government was particularly interested in applying U.S. stealth technology to the development of the H-20 bomber.
Gowadia's activities raised suspicions. The FBI spent years monitoring his transactions and communications, discovering that he had shared classified information about the B-2 with China. Secret documents were found at his residence during a raid on Maui, sealing Gowadia's fate.
The Impact of Stealth Secrets on Chinese Military Technology
Based on the secrets shared, China has made significant advances in its military technology. The H-20, a Chinese stealth bomber, bears striking similarities to the B-2, indicating that the information provided by Gowadia played a crucial role.
Gowadia's espionage helped China reduce technological distance from the USA, increasing tension in the arms race. These actions not only compromised U.S. national security, but also changed the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific.
The Fall of Gowadia
In 2005, Gowadia was arrested in a sting operation conducted by the FBI and the Air Force. The investigation revealed a pattern of behavior that included secret visits to China and the transfer of classified information.
After a lengthy trial, Gowadia was sentenced to 32 years in prison. He remains a controversial figure, seen by some as a traitor and by others as a victim of his own circumstances.
The importance of security in military projects
The Gowadia case underscores the need for rigorous systems to protect strategic secrets. Unbridled trust in individuals can lead to disastrous consequences.
Gowadia’s actions show how ego and financial hardship can lead to catastrophic decisions. His story is a reminder of the devastating impact that betrayal can have on a nation.
The Journey of Noshir Gowadia is at the same time fascinating and tragic. His technical brilliance was overshadowed by decisions that put the safety of millions at risk. This case remains one of the most striking examples of how furtive secrets can change the course of history—for better or worse.
Funny... as if Boeing didn't do the same, taking engineers from Embraer to acquire our knowledge.
American joke…. as the “American” Bill Gates once said: “I don’t disapprove of those who copy… on the contrary, I admire those who copy and do it better”… hahaha, made in China! I don’t know if it’s better… but they copy it properly, faster and probably cheaper, hahahaha
Luiz, yes, unfortunately Lula and the left only think about hiding the truth, arresting those who spread it, calling it fake news just because it goes against the interests of the left and also worried about sealing and vote buying for welfare, instead of worrying about serious things like this which is about national security.
Whiner from hell... you arrested Admiral Othon, the greatest Brazilian nuclear scientist.
Lula and the guy