Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-3392084-20140416023502/@comment-192.160.117.141-20140421182358

The branding isn't important. RAY and EXCELSUS are referred to as "Metal Gear", but neither carries nuclear weapons. RAXA is a "Metal Gear" that has nukes, but isn't bipedal. Peace Walker launches nukes and is sometimes bipedal, and it isn't a "Metal Gear".

When you're talking about "surpassing Metal Gear", you're talking about what Metal Gear does, not what it is. Metal Gear doesn't surpass the Shagohod because it has legs; it surpasses the Shagohod because it doesn't need a runway to launch nukes. It's a better strategic weapon. A weapon that surpasses Metal Gear would likewise have to be a better strategic weapon than Metal Gear; if the weapon's chief characteristic is flight, then flight would need to make it better in some way at exerting strategic power than the usual nuclear-equipped walking tank capable of operating solo. For example, flight might allow it to change location quickly after launching a missile, escaping retaliation (fuelling would be a huge problem, however, and a submarine would probably be better at hiding and escaping).