The Arios Ascalon also featured a different nose unit for its Flight Form. Both the GN Sword and GN Beam Cannon were installed on this nose unit, which also has a newly designed sensor unit near its tip, enhancing the Arios Ascalon's ability to search for enemies during high-speed movements. The Arios Ascalon retained most of the Arios's weaponry, except for the shoulder-mounted GN Beam Shields that were replaced with particle control devices for the GN Beam Cannon. While this seemed to reduce the defensive capabilities of Arios Ascalon's MS Form, it was not regarded as an issue since the mobile suit was designed with an emphasize on firepower. The design of the Arios Ascalon also placed more emphasis on its Flight Form than its MS Form, and this could be seen from how the GN Sword and GN Beam Cannon are usable only in Flight Form, with the GN Missile Containers being the only added weaponry that could be used in both Flight and MS Forms.