The Battlefield 3 Back to Karkand expansion pack is set to release for PS3 owners next Tuesday, December 6th for PS3 gamers.

This pack includes 4 classic maps rebuilt using the Frostbite 2 engine.  The maps packed in are Sharqi Peninsula, Gulf of Oman, and Strike at Karkand and Wake Island.  This expansion introduces the new assignment system as well:

For example, to complete the “Let it Rain” assignment players must score 20 kills with Light Machine Guns and two mortar kills. When you have met the requirements, you will unlock a new Back to Karkand weapon (with a matching set of dog tags) to use in Back to Karkand and the original Battlefield 3 maps, which will mix in server rotation. You will also unlock the next Assignment in the series, the new Creeping Death Assignment. 

Finally, there are five new trophies:

Complete Warrior (Silver) - Get a kill with the following weapons in a single life: Rifle, Jet, Tank

Third Tour (Bronze) - Get a kill with the new APC, Desert Buggy, and STOVL fighter jet

Gunslinger (Bronze) - Get 10 kills with all B2K weapons

Like a Boss! (Silver) - Get a kill with the skid loader

Jaws (Bronze) - Take a swim in the pool at the Oman hotel

The expansion was packed in for free on all limited edition pre-order versions of the game, otherwise it will cost $14.99...