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Low-Slots
-Signal Distortion Amplifier
-800mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I

The signal distortion amplifier, or "SDA" as it is occasionally abbreviated, is a critical module for any ECM-using ship. It increases the range and effectiveness of ECM weapons by 10%. Think of it like a damage-increasing module, except instead of additional damage it yields a higher probability of achieving a successful jam. It is possible to fit two of them on a single blackbird, but the plates improves survivability so drastically that it is recommended for any situation that contains even a possibility of risk.

Most Caldari ships are at their best when they are shield tanking. The blackbird, however, needs its mid-slots so much that it is better off armor tanking and relying on ECM to defend itself. The "Rolled Tungsten" plates are the "best-named" variety, meaning that of the several kinds of non-tech two, non-faction plates that are available, it is the best. And it is priced accordingly, so it may be worth downgrading to a lesser plate type on a budget blackbird. The rolled tungsten offers a 4200 armor hit point boost, which is a significant improvement over the tech one steel plate 3000 hit point bonus, especially when resistances are taken into account.

Because the blackbird does not have enough spare low-slots to fit any armor hardeners, it is stuck with the inherent armor resistances, meaning that it will take the most damage from ships that do explosive damage. Explosive damage is usually dealt by projectiles fit on minmatar ships, or by certain drones, so be careful.

I want to especially stress that the armor is not there to let a blackbird take a pounding. The purpose of fitting armor plates is to impart a few more seconds to jam a tackling ship and warp out. Armor buys time, but ECM is life.

Rigs (Optional)
-2 Particle Dispersion Projector I

There are several excellent rig options for blackbirds, and the price of medium rigs is low enough that even newer players should consider shelling out for them. As of this writing, the highly recommended Particle Dispersion Projector I rigs cost about 600,000 isk, apiece, making them eminently affordable. Each of these rigs increases the optimal range of all ECM modules by +20% on the ship that is rigged with them, and subtracts -10% from the maximum shield hit points of that ship. This penalty is reduced depending on how high a pilot's Electronics Superiority Rigging skill has been trained and, in any case, is unimportant because this fitting relies on armor rather than shields. Also, note that there is a "stacking penalty" when using two of this sort of rig. This means that there are diminishing returns when using modules that yield an identical bonus. In this case, this means that the second module only yields an additional +17.4% optimal range, instead of +20%. This is still more than enough to make using the second rig worthwhile.

If a blackbird is fit with two of these rigs, it becomes important to gain additional targeting range. With decent skills and modules, ECM optimal range can extend to 75km or more, with falloff even farther. This will allow a blackbird to hover contentedly at the edge of a fight, selectively turning off enemy targeting systems to protect friendlies, and ready to warp out if it begins taking significant damage.

A blackbird pilot can either switch out an ECM module for a sensor booster as described above, or use a third rig. The Ionic Field Projector I rig offers a +20% maximum targeting range bonus, and penalizes a ship's shields yet again. This penalty is also subject to the stacking penalty mentioned above.

If a pilot opts for the Sensor Booster module rather than the rigs, he may care to invest in a Particle Dispersion Augmentor I rig, which offers a +10% ECM strength, the equivalent of fitting an additional Signal Distortion Amplifier.

ECM Skills
All of the following skills are best trained to IV or higher. If one ends up flying Falcons or Rooks (the tech two versions of the blackbird) these skills should be trained to V whenever possible.

Electronic Warfare: In addition to being the pre-requisite skill to use ECM and train the more advanced ECM skills, this reduces the capacitor needs of the ECM modules themselves. When a blackbird has five ECM

Long Distance Jamming: For the blackbird, range is life, and the farther away it is from a fight, the safer it will be. This skill increases ECM optimal range (as well as the optimal range of Tracking Disruptors, Remote Sensor Dampeners, and Target Painters) by an amazing 10% per level. For a blackbird pilot, this skill should be trained to IV as soon as possible. This skill requires Electronics IV and Electronic Warfare IV.

Frequency Modulation: This skill increases the falloff of electronic warfare modules by 10% per level. Not quite as good as Long Distance Jamming, but it only requires Electronics III and Electronic Warfare II to train, so it may be better to pick it up first. Remember: jams can still happen in falloff, but it isn't as likely.

Signal Dispersion: Though more skill intensive because it requires Electronics V and Electronic Warfare IV, this skill imparts a 5% jammer strength bonus to all ECM modules per level. A 20% bonus (when trained to IV) is nothing to laugh at, and this skill is well worth it for ECM pilots.

Paths of Progression: Scorpions, Falcons, and Rooks

Once you have some proficiency with ECM in general and the blackbird in particular, it may be time to upgrade to a scorpion. The scorpion is a caldari battleship that is essentially a larger version of the blackbird. There was a time when they were so feared that they would be the first ship to be targeted in any battle. These days they are a little less intense, but can still use ECM from as far as 180km away. This is farther than many sniping battleships can hit. The scorpions is a potent addition to any fleet, and perhaps the cheapest battleship that can have a meaningful impact on battles fought at sniper ranges. The electronic warfare skills used are the same as a blackbird, with the addition of Caldari Battleship IV and perhaps a switch to cruise missiles.

If you really love ECM and are getting tired of flying tech one ships, there are a pair of tech two options based on the blackbird hull: The falcon is an amazing ship that can warp while cloaked (like a covert ops ship) and jam with greatly increased ECM strength, albeit from closer ranges than the blackbird. It is rather like a ghost, appearing out of nowhere to support a fleet, then vanishing. The other option is the rook. It is a nasty, close-range missile boat that pins targets down with ECM and the pours on the damage. Both of these ships have their place, and both excel at their roles, which are ewar support and ganking, respectively.

I Hope You Like Jamming With Me

Well, that should do it. Find some friends and take your blackbird out for a spin. Your friends can tackle and dish out damage while you protect them from afar. Blackbirds are cheap enough to buy and fit a few of them at a time without breaking the bank, and always come in handy. Remember not to panic, learn ship names and races, and jam your little heart out.