<P> In December 2014, the 101st Airborne Division began testing of new resupply equipment called the Enhanced Speed Bag System (ESBS). Soldiers pinned down in the field requiring quick resupply have depended on speed bags, bags filled with items airdropped from a UH - 60 . However, all systems were ad - hoc with bags not made to keep things secure from impacts, so up to half of the airdropped items would be damaged upon hitting the ground . Started in 2011, the ESBS sought to standardize the airdrop resupply method and keep up to 90 percent of supplies intact . The system includes a hands - free reusable linear brake and expendable speed line and multipurpose cargo bag; when the bag is deployed, the brake applies friction to the rope, slowing it down enough to keep the bag oriented down on the padded base, a honeycomb and foam kit inside to dissipate energy . The ESBS not only better protects helicopter - dropped supplies, it allows the Black Hawk to fly higher above the ground, 100 ft (30 m) up from 10 feet, while traveling 20 knots (23 mph; 37 km / h), limiting exposure to ground fire . Each bag can weigh 125--200 lb (57--91 kg) and up to six can be deployed at once, dropping 40--50 feet per second (12--15 m / s). Since supplies can be delivered more accurately and the system can be automatically released on its own, the ESBS can enable autonomous resupply from unmanned helicopters . </P> <P> The UH - 60 features four - blade main and tail rotors, and is powered by two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines . The main rotor is fully articulated and has elastomeric bearings in the rotor head . The tail rotor is canted and features a rigid crossbeam . The helicopter has a long, low profile shape to meet the Army's requirement for transporting aboard a C - 130 Hercules, with some disassembly . It can carry 11 troops with equipment, lift 2,600 pounds (1,200 kg) of cargo internally or 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) of cargo (for UH - 60L / M) externally by sling . </P> <P> The Black Hawk helicopter series can perform a wide array of missions, including the tactical transport of troops, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation . A VIP version known as the VH - 60N is used to transport important government officials (e.g., Congress, Executive departments) with the helicopter's call sign of "Marine One" when transporting the President of the United States . In air assault operations, it can move a squad of 11 combat troops or reposition a 105 mm M119 howitzer with 30 rounds ammunition, and a four - man crew in a single lift . The Black Hawk is equipped with advanced avionics and electronics for increased survivability and capability, such as the Global Positioning System . </P> <P> The UH - 60 can be equipped with stub wings at the top of fuselage to carry fuel tanks or various armaments . The initial stub wing system is called External Stores Support System (ESSS). It has two pylons on each wing to carry two 230 US gal (870 L) and two 450 US gal (1,700 L) tanks in total . The four fuel tanks and associated lines and valves form the external extended range fuel system (ERFS). U.S. Army UH - 60s have had their ESSS modified into the crashworthy external fuel system (CEFS) configuration, replacing the older tanks with up to four total 200 US gal (760 L) crashworthy tanks along with self - sealing fuel lines . The ESSS can also carry 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) of armament such as rockets, missiles and gun pods . The ESSS entered service in 1986 . However, it was found that the four fuel tanks obstruct the field of fire for the door guns; thus, the external tank system (ETS), carrying two fuel tanks on the stub wings, was developed . </P>

How many soldiers can a blackhawk helicopter carry