U.S. Army Infantry Squads Could Be Getting a Major Upgrade Soon The NGSW program is currently testing the three prototype weapons that will replace both the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Assault Weapon (SAW). The 6.8mm weapon will extend the range, enhance accuracy, and improve lethality when it is fielded in the coming years. Here's What You Need To Remember: Among other modernizations, the Army is considering increasing the size of each infantry squad - from thirteen, the standard in the Army, to fifteen, the standard in the Marine Corps. As the U.S. Army adopts new “Next Generation” technology and weapons, it is evaluating whether it needs to change the size of its infantry squads. The Army has held infantry squads of nine soldiers for decades and has maintained the company as the base of maneuvers for its dismounted troops. The smaller squads were utilized as components of that larger group.