Battlefield 2 Profile Preview - The Weapons of Battlefield 2

After taking us through the battles of World War II and the jungles of Vietnam, EA is preparing the next chapter in its popular Battlefield series. As with Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam, Battlefield 2 will allow up to 64 players to battle on huge virtual battlefields. They can run around with guns blazing or commandeer a wide range of vehicles, from jeeps, tanks, and planes. However, instead of being based on a historical conflict, Battlefield 2 is set in the near future and depicts a war between three powerful factions: the United States, China, and the fictional Middle Eastern Coalition. As it is set in the near future, many of the weapons and vehicles in the game are currently in service today, from Abrams tanks and F-15 fighters to the small arms that you'll carry in the game.

Each faction will have seven soldier classes that you can choose from, including assault, special ops, medics, engineers, and support troops. The special ops and support classes are entirely new to the Battlefield franchise. Special ops troops are armed with short-range weapons and clad in light armor, but they're able to move quickly and can blow up enemy equipment, or they can designate enemy targets for friendly missiles. Meanwhile, support troops will be able to drop ammo packs for their teammates in addition to providing fire support, courtesy of their machine guns. In this preview, we take a look at the primary weapons that every class for all three factions will carry into battle.

United States

In addition to their primary weapon, US forces carry the M9 semiautomatic pistol as a sidearm.

Assault

US assault troops are armed with the M16A2 assault rifle with the potent M203 40mm grenade launcher attached. The M203 provides a mortarlike capability to US infantry, but it takes great skill to use one effectively.

Special Ops

US Special Forces are often tasked with conducting missions that require great mobility. That's why these elite troops are armed with the M4 carbine, which is basically a lightweight, shorter version of the heavier M16A2 assault rifle. But while it's smaller than its heavier cousin, it doesn't sacrifice the punch.

Support

Tasked with providing fire support for their lighter-armed brethren, the support class is armed with the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Capable of a withering rate of fire and equipped with a 200-round magazine, the M249 provides the equivalent firepower of 15 regular riflemen.

Sniper

US snipers are armed with the M24 sniper rifle, which is capable of hitting targets up to 800 meters away. The rifle's bolt action provides more accuracy and reliability than earlier semiautomatic sniper rifles.

Medic

When they're not busy treating wounded comrades, US medics carry the M16A2 assault rifle. Adopted by the military in 1983, the M16A2 is the general issue assault rifle for all branches of the service.

Antitank:

When out tank hunting, US troops carry the Predator antitank missile, a short-range, one-man missile system designed to defeat current and future main battle tanks on the battlefield. And for personal protection, tank hunters also pack the world-famous MP5 submachine gun.

Engineer:

The engineer isn't meant to engage in conventional shooting engagements, so he carries the Remington 11-87 semiautomatic shotgun for personal protection. Firing a three-inch magnum shell, the 11-87 offers better range and packs more stopping power than most shotguns.

Middle Eastern Coalition

MEC troops are armed with the Bagheera pistol as a sidearm.

Assault:

MEC assault troops are armed with the potent AK-101/GP30 combination. The AK-101 is the modern version of the famed Kalashnikov rifle, while the GP30 is a grenade launcher that's equivalent to the US M203.

Special Ops:

The shock troops of the MEC are armed with the AKS-74U carbine, a compact and powerful automatic rifle known for its extremely small size. Interestingly, many of its parts are interchangeable with the larger AK-101 and the classic AK-47.

Support:

The RPK-74 is the squad-level, light machine gun that's carried by the support class of the MEC. Similar to the American's M249 SAW, the RPK-74 provides fire support for small assault teams of 4 to 10 men.

Sniper:

MEC Snipers carry the Dragunov SVD 7.62mm sniper rifle, developed by the Soviets in the late 1960s. Its optical sight contains an illuminated range finder and an infrared detection aid, making the rifle effective at night against targets with infrared emitters.

Medic:

When going into battle, MEC medics carry bandages and the AK-101, the updated version of the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle. The AK-101 has three outstanding qualities: rate of fire, accuracy, and flexibility.

Antitank:

To counter US and Chinese armor, the MEC infantry use the Eryx portable antitank missile. This wire-guided missile requires the operator to keep the target in his sights. For personal protection, the antitank kit gets a PP-19 Bizon submachine gun.

Engineer:

MEC engineers carry the Saiga 12K, a 12-gauge, smoothbore shotgun designed to defeat enemies in close-quarter firefights and urban assault operations. Based on the proven AK-47 design, the Saiga is semiautomatic and magazine fed.

China

All Chinese forces carry the QSZ-92 pistol as a sidearm.

Assault:

Chinese infantry carry the Type 56 assault rifle, which is China's licensed copy of the famed AK-47 assault rifle. In addition, Chinese assault troops attach the GP25 grenade launcher to their rifles.

Special Ops:

Chinese Special Forces carry the Type 95 commando assault rifle, a variant of the powerful and flexible Type 95 machine gun. Constructed from polymer materials, the Type 95 is lightweight and rugged, and it is designed to be China's next-generation assault weapon.

Support:

To provide fire support to their fellow infantrymen, Chinese support troops are armed with the machine gun variant of the Type 95. In this configuration, the Type 95 fires from a drum of 5.8mm ammunition and has a bipod for support.

Sniper:

To pick off targets at long distances, Chinese snipers utilize the Type 88 sniper rifle, a reliable and powerful weapon with a magazine that holds 10 rounds. The Type 88 can effectively hit a target up to 800 meters away.

Antitank:

Chinese tank killers carry the Eryx portable antitank missile. A joint venture between France and Canada, the Eryx is a short-range missile system designed to engage and defeat main battle tanks. And for further firepower, Chinese tank hunters carry the Type 85 heavy machine gun.

Engineer:

Designed by the China North Industries Corp., the Norinco 98 shotgun is a clone of the American-made Remington 870. A pump-action shotgun, the Norinco 98 has an extended magazine that holds eight rounds.