With the dull thud still audible from the release of the first abortive BF2 patch, EA and Digital Illusions Announce Development of Battlefield 2 Special Forces Expansion Pack unveils plans for the first expansion for DICE's military shooter sequel. There's also a Battlefield 2: Special Forces Q&A on IGN discussing the project, revealing that new features will include a grappling hook and night vision goggles (along with an end to the nine-to-five war with the inclusion of night maps where the goggles will be useful). Here's a bit from the announcement for the add-on, which is due this fall:

In Battlefield 2: Special Forces, players will choose to fight as one of 6 different Special Forces soldiers -- Navy SEALs, British SAS, Russian Spetznas, MEC Special Forces, Rebel groups and insurgents. Armed with the latest Special Forces weaponry, players can take control of any of the game's 10 new vehicles to engage in major conflicts with up to 64 players. Additionally, persistent character growth allows players to continue to rise through the ranks.

Battlefield 2: Special Forces takes the intensity and quality of Battlefield 2 behind the scenes of news headlines, showcasing the most elite and deadly forces in the modern military world. Using accurate Special Forces weapons, gadgets, and vehicles, these covert armies battle to control key military and strategic locations.