What Is Project Blackwing in Star Wars?

Listen. Star Wars isn’t just Jedi, Stormtroopers, and Grogu. It’s not just heroes and villains and slashing lightsabers. The galaxy that’s so far away has become an ever-expanding wealth of lore, backstory, and characters that fill every kind of niche or genre—and that includes horror. So, buckle up, turn a light on, and prepare to read about one of the Empire’s most gruesome projects and its horrifying results: Project Blackwing.

What is Project Blackwing?

Project Blackwing was a research project developed by the Galactic Empire’s Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons, tasked with unlocking immortality. It was originally created by Sith scientists using a combination of science and Sith alchemy.

Sith alchemy is the dark side technique that was used by Darth Sidious when he attempted to enter the World Between Worlds (a powerful liminal space) in Star Wars Rebels. Sith alchemy can also be used to create dark illusions and a powerful fiery energy that allows a Sith lord to make a physical and psychic connection to another person. 

What happened?

In this instance, however, the combination of science and Sith alchemy backfired disastrously. The Sith scientists accidentally created the Blackwing virus, also referred to as “the Sickness.” The virus was accidentally created while working on an experiment meant to revive necrotic tissue in experiments taking place in a secret research facility on Dandoran. The resulting virus killed its hosts, attacking the biological tissue and turning their lifeless bodies into terrifying zombies.

The virus altered the body’s stamina, making the zombies physically slower but also increased their durability and resilience, which meant they could take increased physical damage. The infected bodies could take blows that would have normally been fatal and keep moving. The virus also altered the skin, turning it a grey-green color. It could also communicate with itself, allowing the zombie hosts to act as a single entity. Because of this, the zombies were able to learn how to utilize blasters, turrets, and even pilot starships.

This legion of zombie Stormtroopers became known first as “Death Troopers” and then “Undead Troopers.” In their swarms, they would launch coordinated strikes on both Imperial and Rebel Alliance forces. They even earned the nickname “Army of the Dead.”

Is it canon?

Technically, yes. While Project Blackwing has not made an appearance in any Star Wars film or television series, and had only appeared in the Star Wars Legends novel Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber, it was introduced into the current Disney canon when it appeared in the mobile strategy game Star Wars: Commander in 2014. 

In 2016, the “Death Troopers” name was changed to “Undead Troopers” in order to avoid confusion with the newly released ultra-elite Stormtrooper variant. The name confusion was referenced in-universe, as well, with Palpatine purposefully try to capitalize on the rumors of the undead army. Unfortunately, Commander was officially shut down in June 2020, but Project Blackwing might just pop back up again some day!

(image: Disney Interactive)