Noshir Sheriarji Gowadia’s life reads like a techno-thriller—a brilliant mind who shaped America’s most advanced weapons system, then betrayed its secrets for personal gain. Born in Mumbai (Bombay), India, on April 11, 1944, into a Parsi family, Gowadia displayed exceptional intellect early, reportedly earning a PhD-equivalent by age 1515. At 19, he immigrated to the United States, studying aeronautical engineering before becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 196946. His career trajectory seemed emblematic of the American dream—until it spiraled into one of the most damaging espionage cases in modern history.
The Architect of Stealth
Gowadia joined Northrop Grumman Corporation (then Northrop Corporation) in 1968, coinciding with a critical juncture in U.S. defense strategy. After significant aircraft losses in Vietnam and the Yom Kippur War, America urgently needed an undetectable bomber. Gowadia became a principal designer of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, focusing on its revolutionary propulsion system and low observable capabilities16. His work on the bomber’s exhaust geometry—which minimized infrared signatures and radar detection—earned him the self-proclaimed title “father of the technology that protects the B-2 stealth bomber from heat-seeking missiles”411. The B-2’s capabilities were staggering: a radar cross-section no larger than a bird, 10,000-nautical-mile range with single refueling, and 40,000-pound payload capacity110.
The Descent: From Pride to Treason
In 1986, Gowadia left Northrop after a rare blood disorder diagnosis15. He launched a defense consultancy but lost his security clearance in 1997 following a contract dispute with DARPA16. Embittered and financially strained after purchasing a $3.5 million cliffside villa in Maui, Hawaii, with $15,000 monthly mortgage payments, he sought lucrative opportunities15. By 2003, he turned to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Using aliases like “Catch a Monkey,” Gowadia made six covert trips to China between 2003 and 2005, visiting Chengdu, Shenzhen, and military facilities1611. His mission: design a “low observable cruise missile exhaust system nozzle” to make Chinese missiles “less susceptible to detection and interception” by U.S. systems411. For this, he received at least $110,000—funds he used to pay his mortgage while misleading customs as “payment for an antique desk”16.
The Unraveling and Trial
In October 2005, the FBI raided Gowadia’s Maui home, seizing 500 pounds of evidence: computers, blueprints, and thumb drives containing classified data111. He confessed during interrogation: “On reflection, what I did was wrong… What I did was espionage and treason”1. Charged under the Arms Export Control Act, his indictment detailed 18 counts, including:
-
Conspiracy to violate export controls
-
Performing defense services for the PRC
-
Willfully communicating classified national defense information
-
Money laundering and tax evasion411.
His trial became a legal marathon. Initially scheduled for July 2007, it faced four continuances due to security clearance delays for new counsel and a failed defense claim of narcissistic personality disorder (rejected by Judge Kevin S.C. Chang in 2009)4. The 2010 trial featured 39 days of technical testimony, with FBI Agent Thatcher Mohajerin dissecting Gowadia’s activities. Prosecutors led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson proved he transmitted B-2 infrared lock-on range data and stealth nozzle specifications to China411. On August 9, 2010, he was convicted on 14 of 17 counts411.
Legacy and Impact
On January 24, 2011, Chief U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway sentenced Gowadia to 32 years in prison, stating: “He broke his oath of loyalty… for personal gain”111. Initially held at ADX Florence—a supermax facility housing terrorists like Zacarias Moussaoui—he was transferred to MCFP Springfield in 2025, with a release date of February 1, 2032410.
Gowadia’s betrayal accelerated China’s stealth capabilities. By 2011, China tested its J-20 stealth fighter, and in 2016, it unveiled the H-20 bomber—bearing a striking resemblance to the B-236. Recent satellite imagery from China’s Malan base shows drones mirroring the B-2’s “tailless silhouette” and exhaust design, underscoring the long-term damage16.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale
Noshir Gowadia’s story is a paradox: a visionary who fortified America’s defenses, then became its vulnerability. His motives—financial desperation and professional resentment—do not excuse the scale of his treason. As B-2 bombers re-enter global spotlight (like in 2025’s Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran), his case remains a grim reminder that the architects of security can become its greatest threats68. As then-Assistant Attorney General David Kris declared: “This prosecution should serve as a warning… True innovation lies in serving your nation, not selling its secrets”311.
My name is Raushan Kumar Jha i am a professional blogger, content strategist, and SEO expert. I write about famous personalities, health, fitness, and finance on WorldsLegends.com. With six years of experience and a commerce background, crafts engaging, well-researched content that ranks higher and captivates audiences.
