No, it's the only way to carry more small arms than usual, all large weapon, such as artillery or heavy launcher, is mounted outside, for smoother ride that is (because quad leg are more stable). The structural frame is durable, just that the frame and armor are separate component than joined together (also called Monocoque)
Except retrofited Shiro Kishi and Kure Zakura (both are normally humanoid, just with more covering), all Armored Stratos are just that odd. The Chinese guy's unit is a massive tiger-like unit with a small cockpit on its back, similar to how you ride a motorcycle, the Germans are gigantic, flying horseshoe crab that fly like a jet aircraft
