For its time, the Gundam was quite advanced. Built from lightweight Luna Titanium Alloy, its frame was both lighter and sturdier than Zeon's mass-produced mobile suits, able to withstand machine gun fire from an MS-06 Zaku II with little to no damage. Its offensive power was far superior to that of the Zakus. Most engagements would be fought with the Gundam's beam rifle, making it the first mobile suit with firepower comparable to a battleship's beam cannons.

It also used two beam sabers, which were very hot plasma blades that could easily cut through any metal. Those beam sabers may be stretched into a spear-like beam javelin to stab an attacker from a greater distance.