Project Blackwing represented the Galactic Empire's endeavor, conducted by the Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research, to achieve the secrets of unending life. The project's outcome was the emergence of the Blackwing virus, also known as "the Sickness," a contagious viral agent unintentionally brought into existence amidst an experiment focused on the regeneration of dead tissue within a secret research facility situated on Dandoran.
Crafted by Sith scientists employing both science and Sith alchemy within the Galactic Empire's Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research division, Project Blackwing was initially conceived with the goal of attaining immortality. The accidental creation of the virus occurred during an experiment aimed at revitalizing necrotic tissue; however, instead of reviving subjects, it killed them, assaulting their biological structures and transforming their deceased forms into cannibalistic and savage zombies.
Subsequently recognized as "the Sickness" or the Blackwing virus, it induced changes in the body's endurance and power. Infected hosts experienced a reduction in movement speed compared to their pre-infection state, coupled with an augmented resistance to physical harm. This allowed victims to endure levels of punishment that would typically prove critical or even lethal to their original form without succumbing. Furthermore, alterations in skin texture were observed, with human hosts exhibiting a shift towards a grayish-green color. The virus facilitated communication among the infected, enabling them to function as a unified entity and acquire knowledge from survivors. This included the ability to wield blasters, control turrets, and pilot starships.
By the year 13 BBY, Project Blackwing was in full operation. To capitalize on the whispers surrounding this highly classified project, Emperor Palpatine chose to name the death troopers of Imperial Intelligence after the Undead Troopers originating from Project Blackwing, who were also called Death Troopers.
Sometime between the events of the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Hoth, Imperial stormtroopers stationed at the secret research facility on Dandoran contracted the virus, resulting in their transformation into Undead Troopers. An outbreak occurred at the facility, posing a threat of spreading the infection across the galaxy. The ranks of the Undead Troopers were bolstered by the addition of Heavy Undead Troopers and Scout Undead Troopers as the virus continued to claim Imperial troopers, ultimately leading to the designation "Army of the Dead."
Both the Empire and the Rebel Alliance launched operations to counter the threat, eventually containing it. However, rumors soon surfaced indicating that surviving samples had been acquired by various criminal organizations, gangs, cartels, extremist groups, and other unsavory factions for potential trade or weaponization. The Rebel Alliance sustained operations against the virus when a subsequent outbreak took place, yet this outbreak was also successfully contained.
Project Blackwing made its initial appearance within Star Wars canon through Star Wars: Commander, a mobile strategy game launched by Disney Interactive on August 21, 2014.
The Blackwing virus's origins can be traced back to the 2009 Star Wars Legends novel titled Death Troopers, penned by Joe Schreiber.