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{{Status|Canon}}
{{References}}
The '''Z-''' or '''Zeta-classifications''' are a system of classification employed by the [[United Nations Space Command]] for cataloguing [[Forerunner]] technology and materiel.{{Ref/YouTube|eJRXQDUeywQ|Halopedia Archive|343 Social Stream - Halo Array Lore Stream (4 April 2018)|Time=4175|Quote=The Z, the Z-designations for Forerunners, Forerunner constructs [...], that's the human - the Zeta designations for these robots|Quotee=Kenneth Peters}} The system serves as a counterpart to the UNSC's [[type classification system]] used for cataloguing [[Covenant]] technology. The Forerunners have no known system for cataloguing their own technology.
[[UNSC]] analysts catalog [[Forerunner]] technology using a '''system''' wherein the letter "Z" is suffixed by a numerical string.<ref name="IC">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/incineration-cannon '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Incineration Cannon'']</ref> The "Z" classification is also used when Forerunner technology is integrated into human technology.
 
==Overview==
The cataloguing system used by UNSC analysts for Forerunner technology sees a given item designated with a '''Z-''', followed by a numerical string. Known strings range from low double digits to quadruple digits, with no apparent indication the numbers employed have any particular inherent meaning (unlike, for example, the Type-designation system's correspondence with the year of cataloguing). Z-classifications are given to a wide array of technology ranging from infantry weapons to [[Sentinel]]s to even [[Forerunner starship|spacecraft]].
 
Some challenges are inherent in the Z-classification system, due to the esoteric nature of Forerunner technology. Forerunner equipment utilises [[smartmatter]], [[grappler]]s, [[hard light]], and other associated [[nanotechnology]] to operate - as such, their equipment can change form and operating function with relative ease - making classification difficult as what is ostensibly the same weapon could appear with completely distinct operating functions in different circumstances. In most cases, the UNSC seems to class all of these distinct operating functions as one Z-classification (as in the case of the [[Z-250 lightrifle|LightRifle]], [[Z-110 Boltshot|Boltshot]], [[Z-130 Suppressor|Suppressor]] and other infantry firearms that underwent a rapid evolution following the awakening of the [[Promethean]]s between [[2557]] and [[2558]].
 
A notable exception exists in the form of the [[Z-040 pulse grenade]] and [[Z-400 splinter grenade]]s; in function, both grenades are one device with multiple programmable settings. However, both have recieved separate UNSC designations.{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/splinter-grenade|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Splinter Grenade|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}}


==Z classifications==
==Z classifications==
===Native Forerunner technology===
===0-100===
*[[Z-040 pulse grenade]]
*[[Z-040 pulse grenade|Z-040 Attenuation Field Generator/Localized]]
*[[Z-90 hardlight shield]]
*[[Z-90 hardlight shield|Z-90 Photonic Coalescence Emitter/Aegis]]
*[[Z-110 Boltshot]]
 
*[[Z-130 Suppressor]]
===101-1000===
*[[Z-180 Scattershot]]
*[[Z-110 Boltshot|Z-110 Directed Energy Pistol/Exotic]]
*[[Z-250 Lightrifle]]
*[[Z-130 Suppressor|Z-130 Directed Energy Automatic Weapon]]
*[[Z-330 Forerunner Escort]]
*[[Z-180 Scattershot|Z-180 Close Combat Rifle/Asymmetric Engagement Mitigator]]
*[[Z-390 incineration cannon]]
*[[Z-250 Lightrifle|Z-250 Directed Energy Engagement Weapon]]
*[[Z-400 splinter grenade]]
*[[Z-330 Forerunner Escort|Z-330 Independent Actuation Defense Escort/Heavy]]
*[[Z-510 focus turret]]
*[[Z-390 incineration cannon|Weapon/Anti-Materiel Z-390 High-Explosive Munitions Rifle]]
*[[Z-520 splinter turret]]
*[[Z-400 splinter grenade|Z-400 Pursuit Disruption Grid Generator]]
*[[Z-750 binary rifle]]
*[[Z-510 focus turret|Z-510 Directed Energy Focus Weapon]]
*[[Aggressor Sentinel|Z-1500 Aggressor Sentinel]]
*[[Z-520 splinter turret|Z-520 Encounter-Mitigation System]]
*[[Z-1800 Phaeton]]
*[[Z-750 binary rifle|Z-750 Special Application Sniper Rifle]]
*[[Z-2500 autosentry]]
 
*[[Z-4190 bubble shield]]
===1001-10,000===
*[[Z-5080 Promethean vision]]
*[[Aggressor Sentinel|Z-1500 Automated Systems Drone]]
*[[Z-8060 particle cannon]]
*[[Z-1800 Phaeton|Z-1500 Exoatmospheric Multirole Fighter]]
*Z-8250 ([[Z-8250 heavy artillery|heavy artillery]] [[Z-8250 light artillery|light artillery]])
*[[Z-2500 autosentry|Z-2500 Automated Protection Drone]]
*[[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|Z-9930 data terminal]]
*[[Z-4190 bubble shield|Z-4190 Temporal Protective Enfolder/Stationary Shield]]
*[[Z-5080 Promethean vision|Z-5080 Short-Range Spectrum Augmenter/Vision]]
*[[Z-8060 particle cannon|Z-8060 High-Impact Particle Weapon]]
*Z-8250 Anti-ship Exterior Defense Network
**[[Z-8250 heavy artillery|Heavy artillery]]
**[[Z-8250 light artillery|Light artillery]]
*[[Z-9930 Information Vector Console]]


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Ref/Sources}}


==See also==
[[Category:UNSC identification]]
*[[Type classification system]]
[[Category:Forerunner technology]]
*[[Design pattern]]
 
[[Category:UNSC Identification]]

Latest revision as of 08:58, September 24, 2023

The Z- or Zeta-classifications are a system of classification employed by the United Nations Space Command for cataloguing Forerunner technology and materiel.[1] The system serves as a counterpart to the UNSC's type classification system used for cataloguing Covenant technology. The Forerunners have no known system for cataloguing their own technology.

Overview[edit]

The cataloguing system used by UNSC analysts for Forerunner technology sees a given item designated with a Z-, followed by a numerical string. Known strings range from low double digits to quadruple digits, with no apparent indication the numbers employed have any particular inherent meaning (unlike, for example, the Type-designation system's correspondence with the year of cataloguing). Z-classifications are given to a wide array of technology ranging from infantry weapons to Sentinels to even spacecraft.

Some challenges are inherent in the Z-classification system, due to the esoteric nature of Forerunner technology. Forerunner equipment utilises smartmatter, grapplers, hard light, and other associated nanotechnology to operate - as such, their equipment can change form and operating function with relative ease - making classification difficult as what is ostensibly the same weapon could appear with completely distinct operating functions in different circumstances. In most cases, the UNSC seems to class all of these distinct operating functions as one Z-classification (as in the case of the LightRifle, Boltshot, Suppressor and other infantry firearms that underwent a rapid evolution following the awakening of the Prometheans between 2557 and 2558.

A notable exception exists in the form of the Z-040 pulse grenade and Z-400 splinter grenades; in function, both grenades are one device with multiple programmable settings. However, both have recieved separate UNSC designations.[2]

Z classifications[edit]

0-100[edit]

101-1000[edit]

1001-10,000[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ YouTube - Halopedia Archive, 343 Social Stream - Halo Array Lore Stream (4 April 2018): "The Z, the Z-designations for Forerunners, Forerunner constructs [...], that's the human - the Zeta designations for these robots" - Kenneth Peters
  2. ^ Halo Waypoint, Splinter Grenade (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]