What about making it possible to tech without a squad? It would give so much more versality and solved, to some extend, upkeep and popcap issues.
I think that would be nice, but econmically it would be odd
Current state
Pay 200 mp 35 fuel
Recieve Lt/Captain squad (value 300 MP)
Net 100 manpower benefit -35 fuel
Future state
Pay 35 fuel
Receive 100 MP to spend on whatever you want
Net 100 manpower benefit - 35 fuel
These two are technically equal, but it would be quite odd to receive manpower for teching. Anything less than this would be a direct nerf to the amount of resources USF has during the game.