Magnetic Abnormally Detectors - what?

Question

When it comes to airplanes and aviation, I hear terms with the abbreviation of MAD in them but I don't know what's the difference of them all. I now what MAD is but what's MAD Boom and MAD Bird and the such? And how can you spot it out on a plane?

Answer 1

These google pictures in the link

below show the MAD boom

to good effect protruding from the tail

of the aircraft.

Answer 2

The term is "magnetic anomaly detector."  An anomaly means a localized departure from the normal or the expected.  A magnetic anomaly detector is most commonly used to detect submerged submarines by the anomaly in the earth's magnetic field that is caused by such a large mass of steel.

MAD booms are usually attached to the tail cone of the airplane's fuselage, extending 20-30 feet to the rear of the empennage.  That is to keep the detector itself as far away from the airplane's electrical equipment as possible.

An airplane equipped with a MAD boom can loiter at low altitudes in an area where enemy submarines are suspected of operating, and can often locate the submarine(s) much more quickly and efficiently than it could be done with shipboard sonar devices.

Answer 3

Aviophage gave you an almost perfect answer.  My only comment is that the mag sensor (usually of a proton precession, cesium vapour, or overhauser design) is mounted on a boom some distance from the aircraft so that the magnetic field recorded by the sensor is not adversely affected by the aircraft's own magnetic field.  The boom has nothing to do with the on-board aircraft electrical systems or instruments as the sensor is completely passive.