What is the primary armament of the LAV-M?

The primary armament of the LAV-M, which stands for Light Armored Vehicle - Mortar, is the M252 81mm mortar. This vehicle is specifically designed to provide indirect fire support to ground forces. The M252 mortar is known for its effective range and adaptability, allowing it to deliver high-explosive and smoke rounds to support infantry operations.

Each of the other options represents different weapon systems typically found on various military vehicles, but they do not serve as the main armament for the LAV-M. The MK19 grenade launcher and the .50 caliber heavy machine gun (HMG) are more commonly associated with other variants of light armored vehicles. The M203 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired weapon and is not a primary armament option for a vehicle designed for mobile mortar support. Therefore, the choice of the M252 81mm mortar as the primary weapon reflects the LAV-M’s intended role within the Marine Corps' fire support structure.