The narrow spaceframe flanked by large engines gives the craft a bulky appearance. It carries powerful weapons in the form of proton torpedo launchers and heavy laser cannons mounted on the wings and tail. Additionally, the ship contains forward-housed sensitive long-range sensors for its snoop missions. Its extendable s-foils radiate heat and serve as a conduit to deflector shield energy. They also help stabilize atmospheric flight, making the ARC-170 an effective aerial fighter. All this powerful equipment makes the ARC a slow mover except in the cases where it uses its shield projectors to dissipate heat during atmospheric flight, protecting it from the dangers of overheating as it reaches supersonic speeds.