Editing Z classification system

{{Status|Canon}}
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.

==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==
===0-100===
*[[Z-040 pulse grenade|Z-040 Attenuation Field Generator/Localized]]
*[[Z-90 hardlight shield|Z-90 Photonic Coalescence Emitter/Aegis]]

===101-1000===
*[[Z-110 Boltshot|Z-110 Directed Energy Pistol/Exotic]]
*[[Z-130 Suppressor|Z-130 Directed Energy Automatic Weapon]]
*[[Z-180 Scattershot|Z-180 Close Combat Rifle/Asymmetric Engagement Mitigator]]
*[[Z-250 Lightrifle|Z-250 Directed Energy Engagement Weapon]]
*[[Z-330 Forerunner Escort|Z-330 Independent Actuation Defense Escort/Heavy]]
*[[Z-390 incineration cannon|Weapon/Anti-Materiel Z-390 High-Explosive Munitions Rifle]]
*[[Z-400 splinter grenade|Z-400 Pursuit Disruption Grid Generator]]
*[[Z-510 focus turret|Z-510 Directed Energy Focus Weapon]]
*[[Z-520 splinter turret|Z-520 Encounter-Mitigation System]]
*[[Z-750 binary rifle|Z-750 Special Application Sniper Rifle]]

===1001-10,000===
*[[Aggressor Sentinel|Z-1500 Automated Systems Drone]]
*[[Z-1800 Phaeton|Z-1500 Exoatmospheric Multirole Fighter]]
*[[Z-2500 autosentry|Z-2500 Automated Protection Drone]]
*[[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==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:UNSC identification]]
[[Category:Forerunner technology]]