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India.com
30-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Who is Noshir Gowadia? Indian who built US B-2 stealth bombers, hailed as a hero, now in jail because..., he is from...
New Delhi: The 12-day war between Israel and Iran was halted after a ceasefire deal on the intervening night of June 23-24, but not before the USA bombed three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The US targeted these sites with fighter jets and the touted B-2 stealth bombers. Even though the ceasefire is in place as of now and the concerned countries are busy with endeavours to get things back on track, situation is still volatile. How did B-2 excel? However, one thing that stole the limelight was the role played by the United States' B-2 stealth bombers in striking three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites. B-2 bombers are capable of dropping 30,000-pound bombs and that is a massive weight and an equally massive destruction. But did you know that the highly celebrated B-2 stealth bombers have an Indian connection? B-2 bomber's Indian connection? As we mentioned that B-2 has an Indian connection, we will tell you about it. The name is Noshir Gowadia, the Indian brain behind America's game changer aircraft. Noshir Gowadia was born in 1944 in Bombay in a Parsi family. He exuded brilliance from a young age and is said to have earned a PhD by the age of 15. He moved to the United States when he was 19 to study aeronautical engineering and became a naturalized US citizen in 1969. Later he joined Northrop Corporation, now known as Northrop Grumman. When Gowadia built B-2 bomber with amazing features Noshir joined Northrop at a crucial time for the USA as it was trying to modify the weaknesses exposed during its prolonged war with Vietnam and Yom Kippur. His skills were valuable as the US had lost thousands of aircraft and was in need of making a plane that could not be seen. Noshir made one as he designed the B-2 stealth bombers after spending over 20 years to design and make the propulsion system so that its exhaust was invisible to heat sensors and radars. The B-2 stealth bomber could not be detected. It could drop 40,000 pounds of explosives and fly 10,000 nautical miles (18520 km) with single refuelling. What were Gowadia's struggles? Gowadia and his work were highly praised, and he became a hero for the American military. He was relieved Northrop in 1986 due to a rare blood disorder after which he bought a villa in Maui, Hawaii with high loan. The loan instalments were proving too much for the genius, and he was in dire need of money. How did Gowadia lose all respect and prestige? Somehow, Gowadia could not handle the pressure and tried short cuts to make easy money. He began a secret partnership with Chinese officials in 2003 and travelled to the country six times using various aliases. His job was to help China build a stealth cruise missile by designing an exhaust nozzle that reduced infrared and radar signatures similar to the B-2. Reportedly, the Chinese paid him $110,000 for this which he used to pay off his loan. But he could not hide this large sum of money from the revenue officials and. The FBI began an investigation when shipping documents related to him raised suspicions. When FBI arrested Gowadia He was arrested by the FBI who charged him with giving secret defense information to unauthorized parties. According to prosecutors, the information mostly related to the B-2 project, and at least eight foreign countries were shown documents relating to the B-2's stealth technology. In an affidavit, Gowadia admitted to transmitting classified information, and stated that he did so 'to establish the technological credibility with the potential customers for future business.' Gowadia was held without bail after his arrest. Also, the FBI found 500 pounds of evidence in his Hawaii home, including computers, blueprints, emails, and thumb drives filled with sensitive data. Noshir Gowadia was sentenced to 32 years in prison after a four-month-long trial in 2010.
Mint
24-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Who is Noshir Gowadia? Mumbai-born engineer built B-2 stealth bombers, later jailed for leaking information to China
As Israel and Iran reached a ceasefire deal, albeit volatile, the role of the United States' B-2 stealth bomber jets that reportedly wreaked havoc on three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites cannot be denied. As the world looks at the power of the fighter jets that are capable of dropping 30,000-pound bombs, here is the Indian connection B-2 stealth bomber planes. Born in 1944 in Bombay, Noshir Gowadia was often remembered as a soft-spoken engineer. Raised in a Parsi family, he was reported to be brilliant from a young age and said to have earned a PhD by the age of 15. Godiwala moved to the United States of America when he was just 19 to study aeronautical engineering and was naturalised as an American in 1969. Into a year after becoming an American citizen, he joined Northrop Corporation, now known as Northrop Grumman. Noshir Gowadia joined Northrop at a time when the US was trying to make amends to the vulnerabilities that had been exposed during its prolonged war with Vietnam and Yom Kippur. His skills came in useful as the US had lost thousands of aircraft and was in need of making a plane that could not be seen – and Gowadia delivered. He designed the B-2 stealth bombers, spending two decades to build the planes propulsion system so that its exhaust was invisibe to heat sensors and radars. The B-2 stealth bomber was capable of evading detection, dropping 40,000 pounds of explosives, and flying 10,000 nautical miles with single refuelling. While his work was celebrated, fame grew on Gowadia and he became disillusioned. However, he was let go by Northrop in 1986 due to a rare blood disorder, around which time he brought a villa in Maui, Hawaii, with a hefty mortgage. With his instalments looming around the corner, Gowadia was in need of cash soon. In 2003, he began a secret partnership with Chinese officials and travelled to the country six times using various aliases. His job was to help China build a stealth cruise missile by designing an exhaust nozzle that reduced infrared and radar signatures similar to the B-2s. According to reports, Gowadia received $110,000 for his support, which he used to pay off his loan. However, the large sum of money was flagged by revenue officials and the FBI began an investigation when shipping documents related to him raised suspicions. In October 2005, the FBI arrested Gowadia after they found 500 pounds of evidence in his Hawaii home, including computers, blueprints, emails, and thumb drives filled with sensitive data. After his near-four-month-long trial in 2010, Noshir Gowadia was sentenced to 32 years in prison. While he remains in jail till today, his contributions have since given China a technological edge.
Economic Times
24-06-2025
- Economic Times
Who is Noshir Gowadia, the engineer jailed for over 30 years for leaking secrets of the world's most dangerous B-2 stealth bomber?
Synopsis Noshir Gowadia, a Mumbai-born engineer and one of the architects of America's B-2 stealth bomber, was sentenced to 32 years in prison for passing classified information to China. Once celebrated for revolutionising stealth propulsion, Gowadia helped Beijing develop radar-evading missiles in exchange for money. His case resurfaced as the US deployed B-2 bombers in strikes on Iran and new satellite imagery showed a similar-looking drone at a Chinese base. His tale is a stark reminder of how trust can be weaponised. On 13 October 2005, federal agents raided a Mediterranean-style mansion in Maui, Hawaii. Inside lived Noshir Sheriarji Gowadia—an aerospace engineer born in Mumbai, now a U.S. citizen. He had helped design the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. But that day, he was taken away in handcuffs, accused of selling America's military secrets to China. What followed was one of the most significant espionage trials in U.S. history. ADVERTISEMENT Gowadia was born on 11 April 1944 in Bombay to a Parsi family. Brilliant from a young age, he reportedly earned the equivalent of a PhD by age 15. At 19, he left for the United States to study aeronautical engineering and later became a naturalised American in 1969. Just a year after his citizenship, he joined Northrop Corporation—later Northrop Grumman. He arrived at the perfect time. The U.S. was trying to overcome vulnerabilities exposed during the Vietnam and Yom Kippur wars. Thousands of aircraft had been shot down. America needed a plane that couldn't be seen. Gowadia helped build under a project code-named Blueberry Milkshake, he spent nearly two decades shaping the B-2 Spirit's propulsion system. His focus: making the bomber's exhaust invisible to radar and heat sensors. 'The entire geometry came from me,' he later was no exaggeration. The B-2's radical flying-wing design and stealth features allowed it to evade detection, deliver 40,000 pounds of bombs, and fly 10,000 nautical miles with one refuelling. ADVERTISEMENT But while his work was celebrated, Gowadia grew disillusioned. Also Read: How an Indian engineer helped US make the stealth B-2 Spirit bomber and then sold the secrets to China ADVERTISEMENT In 1986, Gowadia was forced to leave Northrop after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. He then started a defence consulting firm in New Mexico, working on top-secret projects until his security clearance was revoked in 1997 following a contract dispute with DARPA. His bitterness deepened. 'I was one of the fathers of the U.S. Air Force Northrop B-2 Stealth Bomber,' he wrote to a relative. ADVERTISEMENT Around the same time, he purchased a $3.5 million villa in Maui, taking out a hefty mortgage. With $15,000 monthly payments and no security clearance, he needed cash. Fast. Read more on the Israel-Iran ceasefire here ADVERTISEMENT In 2003, Gowadia began a covert partnership with Chinese officials. Using aliases like 'Catch a Monkey,' he made six trips to cities such as Chengdu and Shenzhen. His job: help China build a stealth cruise missile by designing an exhaust nozzle that reduced infrared and radar signatures—just like the B-2' these efforts, he was paid at least $110,000. According to The BBC, he used the money to pay off his mortgage. Customs officials flagged the large cash sum. Gowadia said it was for an antique wasn' later showed he helped China test the nozzle in 2004 and provided them with detailed analyses on how to avoid U.S. missile detection. His betrayal gave China a technological FBI began investigating in 2004 when shipping documents linked to Gowadia raised alarms. A container addressed to him contained restricted defence materials. Surveillance increased. Searches at airports yielded more 13 October 2005, 15 agents swarmed his Maui home. They found 500 pounds of evidence: computers, blueprints, emails, and thumb drives filled with sensitive interrogation, he confessed, 'On reflection what I did was wrong to help the PRC make a cruise missile. What I did was espionage and treason because I shared military secrets with the PRC.' Also Read: Qatar mediates as Trump declares end to 12-day Israel-Iran war with phased ceasefire, vows it will last 'forever' The trial began in Honolulu in 2010 and lasted nearly four months. Gowadia's lawyers argued that he shared only declassified information. The judge disagreed.U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway said, 'He broke his oath of loyalty to the United States. He was found guilty of marketing valuable technology to foreign countries for personal gain.'After six days of jury deliberation, Gowadia was convicted on 14 of 17 counts. He was sentenced to 32 years in a maximum-security prison in Gowadia remains behind bars. But the story didn't end with his conviction. In May 2025, satellite images showed a new drone at China's Malan test base. It looked almost identical to the B-2. Analysts say it might be part of China's secretive H-20 programme or a new high-altitude stealth exhaust design and tailless silhouette mirror the Spirit's profile. Experts believe it's no coincidence. What Gowadia handed over in the early 2000s may now be airborne. Noshir Gowadia admitted in court, 'What I did was espionage and treason.'His son, Ashton Gowadia, has challenged the verdict, claiming the trial was skewed, 'The entire narrative was controlled by the FBI.'Dubbed the 'Spirit,' the B-2 bomber is one of the most sophisticated aircraft ever built. It was designed not just to fly but to disappear. With its bat-wing shape, radar-absorbing materials, and deeply buried engines, the B-2 emits a radar cross-section no larger than a bird. It can fly 10,000 nautical miles with a single refuelling, cruise at altitudes above 50,000 feet, and deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons—all while staying nearly invisible to enemy most innovative features include a tailless flying-wing configuration, an infrared-suppressing exhaust system, and internal weapons bays that reduce its external profile. Noshir Gowadia's contributions—particularly the stealth exhaust nozzle—were essential in ensuring the B-2 remained undetectable by radar and heat-seeking invisibility became headline news again in June tensions between Iran and Israel spiralled, the United States launched a surprise operation codenamed Midnight Hammer. Seven B-2 bombers flew non-stop from the U.S., crossed into Iranian airspace, and struck three key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. This marked the B-2's return to the frontline of global precision strike caught Iran off-guard. Military analysts described it as a 'shock and awe' manoeuvre—made possible by decades of American stealth innovation. Also Read: Donald Trump announces phased Israel-Iran ceasefire but who blinked first? Here's what we know (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
Who is Noshir Gowadia, the engineer jailed for over 30 years for leaking secrets of the world's most dangerous B-2 stealth bomber?
On 13 October 2005, federal agents raided a Mediterranean-style mansion in Maui, Hawaii. Inside lived Noshir Sheriarji Gowadia—an aerospace engineer born in Mumbai, now a U.S. citizen. He had helped design the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. But that day, he was taken away in handcuffs, accused of selling America's military secrets to China. What followed was one of the most significant espionage trials in U.S. history. Who is Noshir Gowadia: The man behind America's stealth B-2 bomber Gowadia was born on 11 April 1944 in Bombay to a Parsi family. Brilliant from a young age, he reportedly earned the equivalent of a PhD by age 15. At 19, he left for the United States to study aeronautical engineering and later became a naturalised American in 1969. Just a year after his citizenship, he joined Northrop Corporation—later Northrop Grumman . He arrived at the perfect time. The U.S. was trying to overcome vulnerabilities exposed during the Vietnam and Yom Kippur wars. Thousands of aircraft had been shot down. America needed a plane that couldn't be seen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Gowadia helped build one. Working under a project code-named Blueberry Milkshake, he spent nearly two decades shaping the B-2 Spirit's propulsion system. His focus: making the bomber's exhaust invisible to radar and heat sensors. 'The entire geometry came from me,' he later said. Live Events It was no exaggeration. The B-2's radical flying-wing design and stealth features allowed it to evade detection, deliver 40,000 pounds of bombs, and fly 10,000 nautical miles with one refuelling. But while his work was celebrated, Gowadia grew disillusioned. Also Read: How an Indian engineer helped US make the stealth B-2 Spirit bomber and then sold the secrets to China From Pride to Paranoia In 1986, Gowadia was forced to leave Northrop after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. He then started a defence consulting firm in New Mexico, working on top-secret projects until his security clearance was revoked in 1997 following a contract dispute with DARPA . His bitterness deepened. 'I was one of the fathers of the U.S. Air Force Northrop B-2 Stealth Bomber,' he wrote to a relative. Around the same time, he purchased a $3.5 million villa in Maui, taking out a hefty mortgage. With $15,000 monthly payments and no security clearance, he needed cash. Fast. Read more on the Israel-Iran ceasefire here The China connection to B-2 bombers In 2003, Gowadia began a covert partnership with Chinese officials. Using aliases like 'Catch a Monkey,' he made six trips to cities such as Chengdu and Shenzhen. His job: help China build a stealth cruise missile by designing an exhaust nozzle that reduced infrared and radar signatures—just like the B-2's. For these efforts, he was paid at least $110,000. According to The BBC, he used the money to pay off his mortgage. Customs officials flagged the large cash sum. Gowadia said it was for an antique desk. It wasn't. Evidence later showed he helped China test the nozzle in 2004 and provided them with detailed analyses on how to avoid U.S. missile detection. His betrayal gave China a technological edge. The FBI began investigating in 2004 when shipping documents linked to Gowadia raised alarms. A container addressed to him contained restricted defence materials. Surveillance increased. Searches at airports yielded more documents. On 13 October 2005, 15 agents swarmed his Maui home. They found 500 pounds of evidence: computers, blueprints, emails, and thumb drives filled with sensitive data. During interrogation, he confessed, 'On reflection what I did was wrong to help the PRC make a cruise missile. What I did was espionage and treason because I shared military secrets with the PRC.' Also Read: Qatar mediates as Trump declares end to 12-day Israel-Iran war with phased ceasefire, vows it will last 'forever' The trial and the sentence The trial began in Honolulu in 2010 and lasted nearly four months. Gowadia's lawyers argued that he shared only declassified information. The judge disagreed. U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway said, 'He broke his oath of loyalty to the United States. He was found guilty of marketing valuable technology to foreign countries for personal gain.' After six days of jury deliberation, Gowadia was convicted on 14 of 17 counts. He was sentenced to 32 years in a maximum-security prison in Colorado. Fallout and a familiar shape in the sky Today, Gowadia remains behind bars. But the story didn't end with his conviction. In May 2025, satellite images showed a new drone at China's Malan test base. It looked almost identical to the B-2. Analysts say it might be part of China's secretive H-20 programme or a new high-altitude stealth drone. Its exhaust design and tailless silhouette mirror the Spirit's profile. Experts believe it's no coincidence. What Gowadia handed over in the early 2000s may now be airborne. Noshir Gowadia admitted in court, 'What I did was espionage and treason.' His son, Ashton Gowadia, has challenged the verdict, claiming the trial was skewed, 'The entire narrative was controlled by the FBI.' The B-2 bomber: America's invisible weapon Dubbed the 'Spirit,' the B-2 bomber is one of the most sophisticated aircraft ever built. It was designed not just to fly but to disappear. With its bat-wing shape, radar-absorbing materials, and deeply buried engines, the B-2 emits a radar cross-section no larger than a bird. It can fly 10,000 nautical miles with a single refuelling, cruise at altitudes above 50,000 feet, and deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons—all while staying nearly invisible to enemy defences. Its most innovative features include a tailless flying-wing configuration, an infrared-suppressing exhaust system, and internal weapons bays that reduce its external profile. Noshir Gowadia's contributions—particularly the stealth exhaust nozzle—were essential in ensuring the B-2 remained undetectable by radar and heat-seeking missiles. That invisibility became headline news again in June 2025. As tensions between Iran and Israel spiralled, the United States launched a surprise operation codenamed Midnight Hammer. Seven B-2 bombers flew non-stop from the U.S., crossed into Iranian airspace, and struck three key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. This marked the B-2's return to the frontline of global conflict. The precision strike caught Iran off-guard. Military analysts described it as a 'shock and awe' manoeuvre—made possible by decades of American stealth innovation. Also Read: Donald Trump announces phased Israel-Iran ceasefire but who blinked first? Here's what we know
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Satellite image captures decades-old US-made F-5 jets at an Iranian airbase, offering a snapshot of Tehran's vintage air force
New satellite imagery of an Iranian base shows several aging F-5 fighter jets. The US-made F-5s, which first flew in the 1950s, are part of Iran's outdated air force. Tehran relies heavily on its missile and drone arsenal, rather than crewed fighter aircraft. A new satellite image taken of an Iranian airbase showed a handful of decades-old, American-made F-5 fighter jets, offering a look at Tehran's antiquated air force. The photo, captured Tuesday by US commercial satellite imaging company Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider amid Israeli strikes on Iranian military assets, showed six F-5s on alert and dispersed around the Dezful airbase in western Iran. The section of the base did not appear to have been targeted by Israel, which has spent the past six days launching airstrikes against Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The intensive bombing campaign has caused widespread damage across the country and killed a number of senior commanders. There are several variants of the F-5 supersonic light fighter made by the US aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation. The early F-5 took its first flight in the late 1950s and was introduced the following decade. The US procured thousands of these aircraft for use by allies. Iran, once an American ally, acquired F-5A/B Freedom Fighters and F-5E/F Tiger IIs in the 1960s and 1970s, building its air force before the 1979 Iranian Revolution tanked relations between the two countries, ending logistical, maintenance, and technological support. Iran is estimated to have had a few dozen F-5s in service in recent years, with many of the originally purchased fighter jets non-operational or long since disposed of amid strains on maintaining the aircraft. The US military, specifically the Air Force and Navy, still uses the jet for training purposes, though not for active combat operations. Iran's air force is fairly outdated and obsolete due to international sanctions and other embargoes that prevent the country from obtaining more high-tech weaponry but also critical components and parts. Aside from the F-5, Tehran operates other aging aircraft, including the Soviet-era Su-24 and MiG-29, and the American-made F-14 Tomcat. An Iranian official said earlier this year that Tehran had purchased newer Su-35 aircraft from Russia, but it's unclear how many, if any, have been delivered. The Israel Defense Forces said on Monday that it had bombed two F-14s at Tehran's main airport, marking what it described as "another loss of strategic weaponry for the enemy." The IDF also confirmed on Wednesday that it struck five Iranian attack helicopters. Limited in its airpower, Iran has invested heavily in developing a large arsenal of ballistic missiles and attack drones. By contrast, the Israeli Air Force operates newer and more powerful aircraft, such as the F-35I stealth fighter and the older but highly effective F-16 and F-15 jets. Israeli officials said that the country has, with its mix of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, achieved air superiority over swaths of Iran, including Tehran, after battering its air defenses. Amid fighting between Israel and Iran, another image captured by Maxar on Tuesday showed what appeared to be several of Iran's Shahed-136 attack drones on and next to trailers parked on a taxiway at Dezful. Iran has used its notorious Shahed-136s in its ongoing retaliatory attacks against Israel. Tehran has also sent many of these drones, also described as loitering munitions, to Russia, which has used them to carry out strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. Russia also produces its own domestic version of the Shahed-136, which has increasingly become a problem for Ukraine. Israeli combat aircraft have launched hundreds of airstrikes across Iran since Friday, targeting the country's nuclear program, its leading scientists, senior commanders, air defenses, missile launchers, weapons production sites, bases, and other military infrastructure. Iran has, in turn, retaliated against Israel by launching around 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones. Read the original article on Business Insider
