- An Iranian backed militia used an FPV drone to strike a UH 60 Black Hawk helicopter at Camp Victory in Iraq based on released footage and open source analysis
- The attack highlights the use of low cost drones to target high value military assets inside secured bases and raises concerns over counter UAS defenses
An Iranian-backed militia carried out a drone strike on Camp Victory in Iraq, targeting a United States military installation and hitting multiple assets, according to video released on March 24 and open-source analysis.
Footage shows a first-person view (FPV) attack drone striking a parked Black Hawk helicopter within the base perimeter.
Open-source imagery from the incident shows a direct impact on a helicopter identified as part of the Black Hawk family. The United States military has not publicly confirmed the extent of damage or whether the aircraft was operational at the time of the strike.
An OSINT analyst known as Evergreen Intel suggested the aircraft may have been a medical evacuation variant. “Noticing they [militia] blurred out a portion of their attack video (green). I think they were trying to hide the fact they attacked a medevac helo. Note white mark circled in orange,” the analyst wrote, referencing visual markers in the footage.
The analyst compared the markings to publicly available images of CASEVAC and MEDEVAC-configured UH-60 helicopters, indicating the aircraft could be an HH-60M variant used for medical evacuation missions.
According to the U.S. Army, the HH-60M is used across the United States Army to provide Medical Evacuation, Aerial Medical Support, and ambulatory patient transport services to wounded Soldiers.
Camp Victory, located near Baghdad, has historically served as a major United States military hub in Iraq. Installations in the area continue to host U.S. forces and coalition elements supporting regional security operations.
Technically, FPV drones used in such attacks are typically modified commercial or semi-custom platforms equipped with explosive charges. Operators guide the drone in real time using onboard cameras, allowing for precise targeting of stationary or slow-moving objects.
These drones can be launched from relatively short distances and are difficult to detect due to their small size and low radar signature. Their use has expanded in recent conflicts due to their low cost and adaptability.