What causes a MK-12 or MK-16 tail section to actuate?

The MK-12 and MK-16 tail sections are designed with safety mechanisms to ensure they only actuate under specific conditions. The removal of safety pins and the safety knob from the control unit are critical steps in the activation process. These safety components are put in place to prevent accidental activation during handling or transport.

By removing the safety pins and safety knob, the tail section is released from its safe operating state, allowing it to be actuated in a controlled manner. This step is essential for ensuring that the system can respond correctly when intended, while also maintaining safety protocols. The inclusion of these specific safety features emphasizes the importance of proper handling procedures in ordnance management, particularly in high-stakes environments where precision and safety are paramount.

Activation through alternative methods, such as remote control or manual triggers via safety mechanisms, may not apply in the context of this question's focus on the established safety protocols for the MK-12 and MK-16 systems. Hence, the removal of safety pins and safety knob is the accurate representation of what triggers the actuation process.