Z classification system

The Z- or Zeta-classifications are a system of classification employed by the United Nations Space Command for cataloguing Forerunner technology and materiel. 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 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.

Z classifications

0-100

• Z-040 Attenuation Field Generator/Localized
• Z-90 Photonic Coalescence Emitter/Aegis

101-1000

• Z-110 Directed Energy Pistol/Exotic
• Z-130 Directed Energy Automatic Weapon
• Z-180 Close Combat Rifle/Asymmetric Engagement Mitigator
• Z-250 Directed Energy Engagement Weapon
• Z-330 Independent Actuation Defense Escort/Heavy
• Weapon/Anti-Materiel Z-390 High-Explosive Munitions Rifle
• Z-400 Pursuit Disruption Grid Generator
• Z-510 Directed Energy Focus Weapon
• Z-520 Encounter-Mitigation System
• Z-750 Special Application Sniper Rifle

1001-10,000

• Z-1500 Automated Systems Drone
• Z-1800 Exoatmospheric Multirole Fighter
• Z-2500 Automated Protection Drone
• Z-4190 Temporal Protective Enfolder/Stationary Shield
• Z-5080 Short-Range Spectrum Augmenter/Vision
• Z-8060 High-Impact Particle Weapon
• Z-8250 Anti-ship Exterior Defense Network
  • Heavy artillery
  • Light artillery
• Z-9930 Information Vector Console