Xiaodong Sheldon Meng, while working for defence contractor Quantum3D, engaged in espionage activities in the behalf of the People’s Republic of China between 2002 and 2006. Meng was the first person convicted under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996.

He was charged by US court with stealing military combat and commercial simulation software and other materials from his former employer Quantum3D, a company based in San Jose, California.

The indictment alleges that Meng stole numerous Quantum3D products, including viXsen and nVSensor, which were used exclusively in military applications, and designed for precision training of military fighter pilots in night vision scenarios among other applications. Both viXsen and nVSensor are classified as defence articles on the US Munitions List and cannot be exported outside the US without an export licence.