Over at FileShack you can grab the latest America's Army: Special Forces (Vanguard), which is now at version 2.2. This new release adds two new Special Forces missions and fixes several client & server bugs. For people who already have 2.1 installed there is a patch. Here's some info on the two new levels

- SF Oasis: Enemy forces have established an outpost from which to launch reconnaissance patrols and conduct ambushes of friendly indigenous forces operating in a remote desert location. Reconnaissance of the outpost must be conducted in order to identify the location of this guerilla base. A Special Forces ODA, along with the help of Indigenous Forces, must then proceed to the proper safe location in order to upload their reconnaissance findings to HQ.
- SF Taiga: Enemy forces purchased a small number of SAGGER anti-armor missiles to better equip their counter- insurgency forces. They are hiding these missiles within civilian camps along a high-altitude mountain road. These missiles will enable the insurgency to ambush both civilian and government convoys at extended ranges. A Special Forces ODA along with Indigenous Forces has been deployed to locate and destroy SAGGER missile caches in order to disrupt enemy combat operations within the area of operations.

Game Daily has a new America's Army Q&A posted. Associate Producer David Kozlowski answers questions about the game helping with recruitment, user feedback, and plans for additional game features. Thanks HomeLAN.

Uncle Sam has released a new version of the game formerly known as America's Army Operations, America's Army: Special Forces (Downrange). There's a 728mb full Windows download, a 142mb patch to update version 2.00a to this new 2.1 release and for Linux users there's an updated release as well. Version 2.1 adds a tournament mode, ragdoll physics, a new U.S. weapon and more.

The America's Army has a new SITREP, offering details on the next version of the popular online first person shooter which is now officially called America's Army: Special Forces (Downrange). Though no release date is mentioned, there's info and screenshots on SF Arctic (one of two new maps), and the new sun flares. Thanks Blues News.

According to this post on the official America's Army website, a new version of this Unreal engine powered shooter will be released tomorrow. The update is a minor one, correcting client and server-side flooding issues, removing the sniper rifle bug from the weapon selection and adding an admin spectator mode, among a few other things. Thanks Blues News. Update: Oops, no update after all.

The America's Army job page mentions that the Monterey, California based developer of the free America's Army game is looking to hire an entry level programmer. Candidates have to be proficient in C/C++ and object oriented programming, and being familiar with the Unreal Engine certainly helps as well.

It seems the dev team working on Americas Army is in the holiday spirit as they have a new patch for the holidays. You can grab the patch in a couple different flavors or you can flaunt your broadband and download the whole darn thing over again. Here it is ladies:

- v2.0.0 to v2.0.0a patch
- v1.90 to v2.0.0a patch
- v2.0.0a full game

Yeah I figure I could just put this news item on a timer but I figure 40minutes notice is just um... festive or something. Yeah I dunno.

As promised, America's Army 2.0 aka America's Army: Special Forces has been released. This new release, available as upgrade from 1.90 or full download, offers the Special Forces character class, six new maps, and 3D ironsights among other changes and additions.

Weapons Mod Page:
All Special Forces qualified players will be able to fully customize their SOPMOD M4 Carbine rifles. On this new page in the User-Interface the player will be able to add and remove mods from their M4, as well as being able to save their favorite configurations as 'SETS' for quick changes. The current weapon mods available for the player to use include the following: the ACOG 4x Scope, ACOG Reflex Sight, M68 Aimpoint Sight, M203A1 Grenade Launcher (designed for the SOPMOD M4), the M583A1 Flare Launcher, the Harris Bipod, the M4QD Suppressor, Ironsights, and Heatshields.

According to this story on the official America's Army website, the new version 2.0 of the game will be released today. This new release will include the Special Forces character class among other things.

The Computer Gaming World website has a preview of America's Army 2.0, taking a hands-on look at the new version of the free Army recruiting game. Twenty-two screenshots are included.

A small client patch has been released for America's Army 1.90, fixing authorization timeout issues, filter issues in the server browser, and issues with the admin scoreboard. Thanks 3D Gamers.

The official America's Army website has been updated, mentioning that version 2.0 of the game is due out soon even though 1.9 was released pretty recently. Though it's not mentioned what's included, there are five new screenshots. Thanks Blues News.

The long awaited Americas Army v1.90 has been released and we've got it for you ladies on FileShack. Thanks Ashkie! It's a total monster at 604megs though so you may want to go have a few bagels or something while you wait.

- New Character Class: This new update introduces a new MOS: combat medic (91W). And true to U.S. Army form, with this new MOS comes the required training. Hooah!
- New Missions: Not only do you get the 4 single-player training missions above, but a new multiplayer map is introduced: Mountain Pass, Second Edition.
- New Interface: The in-game interface has been totally overhauled, presenting not only a sleeker look, but offering more functionality. Expect to see new features added to this interface over time.
- New Character Models: All characters have been replaced with higher resolution models and textures and new animations (including facial animations and lip syncing).
- New Anti-cheating Measures: one word: Punkbuster! Effective v.1.9, all US Army Official servers will run Punkbuster Anti-Cheat software .
- Other stuff: player shadows (low & high detail), a new theme song, and so much more!

Update: looks like the official release point of America's Army released this file a bit on the early side, which means there will be no servers to play on just yet. It's the final build though.

There's a new SITREP on the official America's Army wesite, offering info on planned updates for this shooter. New things that are on the way: a new character class, new damage model, new missions, new interface, updated character models and more.

We received that Uncle Sam is hiring for the America's Army game once again. This time the team is looking to hire experienced programmers who are proficient in C++, and know their way with the Unreal engine and UnrealScript. Resumes can be sent to jobs@armygame.com.

Uncle Sam sends along this press release, announcing new roles and missions that will appear in the America's Army game. Debuting at E3, the new version will feature Special Forces, Stryker Combat Brigade and Combat Medic missions. The new missions will be roled out during the rest of the year, the first one is the Special Forces addition in June.

Uncle Sam has released a new America's Army: Operations patch, updating the game from v1.60 to v1.70. The new release includes a new map and has updated sound code. There is an updated full download as well. Thanks Blues News.

According to this news item on the official America's Army site, the U.S. Army has contracted Even Balance to integrate their PunkBuster anti-cheat software into the America's Army Operations game. Thanks Blues News.

Another development team Q&A is online at Action Vault, this time the America's Army guys speak out. The first Q&A is about features that make America's Army: Operations stand out from other games.

Uncle Sam has released a new patch for America's Army: Operations, updating the first person shooter to version 1.60. The patch includes a new level, an updated Unreal engine and projectile penetration among other things. If you don't have 1.50 installed, a full 1.60 download is currently only available on the official site for $2. Update: FileShack now has the 1.60 full download. Here's a full description of two of the new features in 1.60

Projectile Penetration
By implementing projectile penetration, America's Army Version 1.6 will provide players with expanded realism across all simulated combat levels. Surfaces such as cloth, glass and wood will now allow projectile penetration with projectile damage and trajectory affected by the type of surface penetrated. With this upgrade the difference between cover and concealment will be apparent!

Projective Ricochets
In addition to projectile penetration, America's Army: Operations now incorporates ricochets as well. With this feature, firing your weapon at an object with an incident angle of less than 45 degrees can result in ricochets. The damage and trajectory resulting from ricocheting projectiles will vary with a projectile's incident angle and the type of material it hits.

In other America's Army news, the U.S. Army and Ultimate Arena today announced they will host an AA tournament to be held at E3 (May 14 - 16 in Los Angeles). Click here for more info.