What is the purpose of the main landing gear?

The main landing gear has a primary purpose of supporting the aircraft's weight during landing and ground operations. This system is crucial because it absorbs the impact forces when the aircraft touches down, providing stability and ensuring that the structural integrity of the aircraft is maintained during these critical phases.

In addition to supporting the weight, the main landing gear also facilitates ground operations such as taxiing, take-off, and landing. While other components of the landing gear can assist during taxiing and contribute indirectly to overall flight performance, the essential role of the main landing gear remains its function in bearing the load and managing dynamic forces upon contact with the runway.

Integrating the technical design with the weight capacity ensures that the landing gear is robust and reliable, which ultimately enhances safety during all ground operations. Thus, the foundational role of the main landing gear in supporting the aircraft's weight confirms why this is the correct answer.